Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 156

When the doctor arrived, Scarlett had pulled the blanket over her head, lying perfectly still.

Her slender fingers gripped the edge of the blanket, and hearing someone enter, she subtly tugged it higher, shoulders retreating deeper beneath the covers.

Her small movements didn't escape Sebastian's notice.

Recalling her reddened eyes and wet lashes dotted with tears, something flickered briefly in the depths of Sebastian's gaze. He formed a loose fist against his mouth and cleared his throat softly.

The doctor examined the swollen ankle, adjusted his glasses, and finally delivered his conservative assessment. "Mr. Howard, Ms. Seymour simply needs ice and rest."

Under the blanket, Scarlett released a breath of relief. Thank goodness no medication was prescribed—if the doctor had insisted, she would have been forced to reveal her pregnancy.

She still couldn't understand how she'd gotten pregnant in the first place; she'd always taken her morning-after pill religiously.

Based on the timing, conception must have happened after that family dinner, but Scarlett had absolutely no memory of that night.

Looking back, she must have forgotten to take the pill that time.

Scarlett found herself wondering how Sebastian would react when he found out. But no matter how she imagined it, all she could picture was his cold face telling her what to do.

What a jerk!

At this thought, Scarlett closed her eyes, burrowing deeper into the blanket to silently curse him.

"You can come out now. The doctor's gone." Sebastian's voice came from outside her fabric fortress as he lightly patted her side, his tone unreadable.

After a moment's hesitation, Scarlett emerged.

Her hair was completely disheveled. Sebastian looked at her and instinctively reached to smooth it.

His gentleness caught Scarlett off guard, and she leaned away slightly. "What are you doing?"

Noticing her retreat, Sebastian withdrew his hand without changing expression and returned to his chair. "Your hair was messy."

"Oh," Scarlett murmured, then noticed Mark entering with an armful of documents. A fanciful thought crossed her mind as she stole a glance at Sebastian.

He held his tablet with one hand while reaching for the files Mark handed him. His sharp jawline formed a perfect profile, caught in the sunlight streaming through the window.

"What is it?" Sebastian asked, sensing her gaze as he turned toward her.

The brilliant sunlight caught his eyes, making their amber color almost translucent.

The sight reminded Scarlett of the first time they'd met—something he probably didn't even remember.

It was her first time attending the Howard family dinner after being brought in by the Seymours. Michael had spent ages convincing Richard to allow it.

Scarlett had prepared meticulously, selecting her prettiest dress for the occasion.

But Edith, in cahoots with cousins from other branches of the family, had smeared cake on her skirt, then falsely accused Scarlett of fighting over the dessert.

The adults laughed it off as children's antics.

But Scarlett was scolded harshly. Brianna dragged her out of the main building to a small garden in the southwest corner, where she berated Scarlett for embarrassing them. In her anger, Brianna even slapped her.

Michael was with Richard meeting George at the time and knew nothing of the incident.

Scarlett knew Michael was her only ally, and with him absent, she could only silently endure.

Alone and helpless, she sat in a wooden pavilion wearing her stained dress, lost in thought. The sickly-sweet smell of frosting clung to her, killing any appetite she might have had.

"What are you doing here?" Teenage Sebastian had been passing by when he spotted her and approached with his question.

Scarlett immediately covered her swollen cheek, turning sideways to face him. She lifted her wet eyes briefly before quickly looking away. "I'm... I'm looking for butterflies."

Her lie was clumsy and absurd.

It was winter, and even though the Howard Manor had greenhouses, butterflies would never be found in this open-air spot.

Sebastian didn't call her out on it. He simply bent down to examine her. "How did you get so dirty?"

Scarlett fidgeted with the seam of her pants, pressing her lips together to keep from crying.

Then Sebastian straightened up, his face maintaining its usual coolness. "Come with me."

Scarlett hesitated, not knowing who he was.

But he simply took her hand and pulled her from the pavilion. "Pathetic. Hiding away to cry when you're bullied."

His tone was neutral, without any trace of contempt—just a simple observation.

"I'm not crying!" Scarlett immediately protested, looking directly at this strange boy for the first time.

"Is that so?" Sebastian didn't argue, just led her through a series of narrow corridors and doorways.

She couldn't remember exactly how they got there, but by the end of that day, Scarlett found herself in a warm room where a servant helped her bathe and change clothes.

Her new outfit was a light red mink coat, crafted with reversed fur so the mink faced inward, with just a hint of pale gray fur showing at the collar and cuffs—both warm and beautiful.

Then came an assortment of small cakes in different flavors, so many that Scarlett felt dizzy looking at them, served with warm milk—a heavenly treat.

Later, Sebastian asked for her name.

But by then, Scarlett was already aware of her status, and after Edith's constant reminders, believed that her identity as an illegitimate daughter was something to be hidden.

So little Scarlett bit her tiny fork, hesitant and shy. "Scar-Bear..."

She waited hopefully after saying it.

This was actually Michael's nickname for her, representing his affection.

But she didn't want to be loved by just one person. She wanted to be loved by many people, like Edith was.

"Scar-Bear?" Sebastian rolled the name in his mouth, and his cold face showed a smile for the first time. "I like it."

Sunlight flooded the room, and Scarlett clearly saw his light amber eyes, so transparent and beautiful that she was instantly mesmerized.

They got along well after that, but everything changed when Michael found them.

"Scar-Bear!" Michael's voice cracked with worry after searching for her for so long.

Hearing his voice, Scarlett immediately jumped off the sofa and ran toward him, completely missing Sebastian's darkening expression.

She threw herself into Michael's arms. "Michael!"

Michael looked her up and down, then turned to Sebastian. "Sebi, thank you for looking after Scarlett."

Sebastian remained seated, not even bothering to look up. "I did it for your sake."

Back then, Scarlett had been confused—how could the boy who had been so friendly suddenly become so cold?

Now she knew better. He'd always been a moody, cold-faced lunatic.

And here was that same lunatic, leaning toward her now, his voice flat. "Are you deaf?"

Scarlett immediately glared at him. "No, I'm not!"

Sebastian made a noncommittal sound and sat back down, lowering his head to sign documents. "What do you want to eat?"

Scarlett was about to give a halfhearted answer when she noticed the makeshift desk in front of Sebastian. "Are you planning to work here?"