Hopelessness is a state when you're handcuffed and your strength resides deep down inside the ocean, too far away from your reach. -Me

MEDIA: HOLLAND RODEN AS SCARLET ANDERSON/PIERCE. (SHE IS HOT AND PERFECT)

SCARLET'S P.O.V:

John was unlocking his car, we were outside the Anderson mansion, Irene along with my parents accompanied us to the door but the surprising and heartbreaking part was that, he was gone.

Caleb already left with his car in which I came from church to attend the freaking reception party, Katerina glanced at me with impair feelings inside them, it seemed like she was really ashamed of her son's behavior. But she managed to crook a weak smile and called out for me, as I was stood some steps away from their car. "Come, Scarlet. Leave with us to your new home."

New home? Literally, in my entire life, I never had such kind of feeling of having a home and she expected me to accept her home mine. For me home was always a place where one could feel comfort instead of remorse, where one could do anything to make their family happy rather than making their life hell, where one could get love always and forever instead of hatred and ignorance, so basically her home wasn't going to be my home for sure.

No one was going to comfort me there too, no one was going to do anything for my smile there too, no one was going to give me love there too, like always.

I managed to take those steps towards her and away from mansion, where I was living with pure abhor. I hopped inside the car and as John started the engine, my weak, quiet and disrelish heartbeats started to dissipate and I felt like I was  swallowed by darkness of pain.

The cool breeze fanned across my face, leaving sensations of unknown tingles. I felt myself consumed by it, I felt like it was something worth it. But how could the situations happening in my life worthy enough for me? It had nothing that could benefit me or at least that couldn't hurt me. The affliction that I was going to feel for six months wasn't something worthy enough for me.

I tried to be strong in my entire life, I didn't let the horrifying hatred towards me break me into pieces but I was losing motivation, I was losing each ounce of strength I had. I wasn't able to prepare myself for those six months, I left it on God. He was the only one who could give me what I wanted; patience and strength to never break down.

We reached there after a quiet drive, Katerina and John didn't engage in any conversation with themselves or me.

I looked outside the window, there was huge mansion like Anderson's one was there, from outside it looked perfect but the vibe of loneliness was so lucid. It didn't seem like a home. It seemed like a building only, built by world class architectures. With no scent of love around it.

Why do I never get a home with love? Why? I groaned in my mind, knowing that the moment I was going to step in that house, I would have to bear the hatred of Caleb.

We got out of the car, Katerina and John were by my side, Guards opened the giant grill and I felt the smell of beautiful flowers filling my nostrils. There was a huge garden outside the mansion, which was darkened by night.

The house was silent, John unlocked the door and we got inside the house finally. I wondered about Caleb's whereabouts.

I stepped in an elegant hall, having dim white lights, the glimmers of the light were enough to enlightened the huge hall. The sofa set in the middle of hall having beautiful covers and a rug in between, with a perfect glass table in the center. There was a staircase to the left that leaded to several rooms I guessed, and then there were glass doors in the hall leading to different places too. The huge windows were hooded by royal blue curtains and there were beautiful antiques that caught my attention, resting on side tables.

"Scarlet, I am so sorry to say but I guess, Caleb isn't home till yet. So, come with me I'll show you your room." I didn't realize that the whole ride I was having a stone face with no expression carved on it. My eyes were basically staring everything that came into my sight with no excitement and no regret.

I had no feeling, no concern brewing in me. I was just empty.

I gave her a look of emptiness and nodded at her, my grassy green eyes were darkened with apprehension and my lips were pursed, sealing so many questions, so many regrets and so many answers. I followed her, she kept a tightened smile on her face with her welcoming blue eyes waiting for something. They were restless.

"Here is your room-" She opened the dark brown door, leading me to inside a heavenly perfect room. The sight of such beauty or calm environment didn't lessened my trepidation.

The king sized bed was in between of a huge room, having a clean deep sand colored bed sheet on it. The furniture was dark and elegant with some abstract design carved on it, there was a huge window to the right side having frilled chocolate colored curtains on it, and there was a couch; a huge one was sitting alongside the window.

The huge wardrobe reminded me of my sister's, because mine was medium in size. She loved big ones. The dresser having men's things was on the left, a bathroom was attached to the room and the fancy lights hanging on the wall glinted the room very well.

I was just staring at the room, and in an instant I got to know that it was of Caleb due to the silent and reserved vibe that I was getting from it. "I hope you like it, he'll be back soon." Katerina said, deeply. Her voice was on verge of breaking.

I finally gathered courage and spoke up gravelly, "I uh- want to ask-- something." I faltered, she seemed furious but nodded and the smile widened a little, the tightness it had faded.

"Why did you-- ask dad to let his any daughter get married to your son in return of John's financial help to my father and yours to my mother's career? You know very well that Caleb is against it and specially when Irene backed out from the promise, why? It doesn't make sense, what would you both get from my dad marrying me or Irene off to your son? Just--" She took steps towards me and fondled my back with so much concern filled in those warm eyes.

I couldn't help but while asking her, the strings of warm tears rolled down to my cheeks, her eyes softened but there was a apologetic look in her eyes, glints of contrite and repent were lucid in her face. She embraced me in a tight yet heartbreaking hug.

I didn't hug her back, call me rude or whatever, I didn't. I had no courage to let her in, no ounce of courage or wish.

She parted away from hug and her eyes were down, refusing to meet mine, the guilt was surrounding her. Her voice broke but she continued to answer me,

"He was-- so deep in hole of pain and unwanted regret, he didn't want to get out and live his life. His soul was gone, it still is. We thought by him marrying to the right girl, he'd find redemption and he'd be alright but he refused. Then one day your dad came asking John help, we put a condition of a marriage of one of his daughter to Caleb for six months because we knew, for life he would never agree. We never met you in a person so we were assure of Irene, we thought she'd help him in these six months. Caleb is obedient, he agreed on six months condition for our sake then Irene and he engaged, he kind of liked Irene. He once said that he would have no problem in spending a marriage with Irene because they became friends and Caleb never makes friend so we were happy. But then your dad told me that Irene is not ready for marriage, he told that you'd replace her. Then we came three days ago to meet you, where I got to know you and you seemed polar opposite from your parents and your sister. But I still have faith in you, I did this for my son's happiness only. I just want him to live this life, he doesn't live, he only spends his life."

The tears that she were holding back, poured down to her face and she peered at me with hopes swimming in those empty, saddened eyes. I wanted to explain her that my dad forced me, threatened me, beaten me up for that compromise so I had no intention of loving his son but in front of me Katerina Pierce; my mother in law wasn't standing, but mother of a broken and lost boy was standing, helplessly asking me for her son's happiness.

How could I hurt her? I was hurt, so hurt but I couldn't wreck her more, she was already in affliction.

The servants knocked at my room's door. Well, Caleb's room door. Two brunettes carried two suitcase, Katerina wiped her tears off so did I.

"Come in, and arrange Scarlet's clothes and accessories in Caleb's wardrobe." Katerina asked those girls, they entered and quietly moved towards his wardrobe, Katerina after giving me a helpless but hopeful glance left the room.

I headed to bed, sat on the corner while my eyes were squeezed, I squirmed on my spot with nervousness and restlessness surrounding me. The haunting sensations were crawling on my body for fleeting moment but then one of a girl asked, "Mrs Pierce, Your wardrobe is arranged and tell us if you need anything right now or anytime."

"No-- I don't need anything." I stuttered but managed to respond, they both left after passing me assuring look.

My mind was befuddled, I was feeling groggy. What should I do now? I questioned myself but again, no respond.

How would Caleb react? I mean, definitely he wasn't going to hug me in utter happiness but still, how would we manage those six months.? The continuity of questions were making me more sick. I was tired of all the drama, I wanted to kill myself to be honest. But I never was the one who liked to run away from problems, I grew up with sadness all around me and problems even I was the problem for many but still, I managed to stay alive and live life lively.

I wasn't sure that after that marriage, live life lively was any option for me but at least, staying strong was. My eyes fell on calendar resting on bedside table, it was July. And I flipped through sheets and saw December, the sixth month from July. My heart beat that was numb, dissipate came back. But the burning sensations didn't leave my chest.

It scared me, the coming time of December agitated me for unknown reasons. It sent shivers down to my spine, making me wince in annoyance of such tingles. I hated everything that I was feeling.

The fervour, the enthusiasm that a marriage gives to any person was no where to be found. Darkness, affliction, fright and regrets were surrounding me. And I wasn't able to do anything to kept myself out of the grip of them, they held me as if they didn't want any scent, any sensation of zeal and happiness around me.

It captivated me, but I assured my befuddled mind, saddened heart and empty soul that I would survive the misery and adversity. I didn't have any clue that till when my that little shred of hope and courage would endure but a slight feeling of an abiding determination relented the burning and painful sensation that was constantly in my chest.

I got off the bed and headed to the wardrobe, my hands shook but then I opened it, my face reddened in embarrassment. How could Irene do this to me? I squealed in annoyance, the lacy stupid lingerie which she actually bought when she was doing her so called shopping for her marriage.

She knew that I was gonna replace her but still she bought such things. What did she think that I'd sleep with Caleb by seducing him through those overly seductive night dresses. God!! I groaned and put those off the hangers and stuffed in the corner so that he wouldn't see.

Of course I'd be embarrassed if he saw that. I mean, literally! I searched for any casual sleep shirt, I wished she had put my sleep shirts while packing. I was searching through the wardrobe but all the things that were in front of me were either a gown or sensual short dress. Irene never used to buy casuals. I groaned while mumbling some curses, it was my habit after all.

I found some of my clothes folded, rested on the corner end. I grabbed a trapeze black sleep shirt which ended on my knees with cap sleeves. I heaved a sigh and went to change, that wedding dress was such a pain, especially that tulle. I unclasped the pin that was holding the bun and let my hair cascade down to my shoulder.

I removed my makeup and continued to throw the splash of water on my face to get rid of tension but then my eyes meet mine through mirror and then traveled to my cheek that was reddened, I remembered my dad's slap and immediately I felt it again, my eyes became watery again and I broke down on the floor.

I didn't know till when I continued to pour rain while staying in washroom, my eyes got puffy and I continued to brush my hand against my cheek wishing that he never had slapped me, I was hurt. So damn hurt.

But then the voice of something falling and breaking caught my attention, I closed the running tap and patted my face with towel then walked out, my view was the most heartbreaking and disgusting.

All I could see was a girl wrapping her long bare legs around his waist and devouring his mouth like she was claiming him. He held his waist with one hand and the other roamed on her body. God, Caleb! Just get out! My mind was yelling but my mouth was sealed, they continued and ended up on bed and I was watching that with bewilderment.

Caleb was never a playboy, so why? I never heard or read anything about him ever flirting with any girl or sleeping with any girl.It was kind of hard to process, and his personality wasn't like that as well. So, I blamed myself because marriage with me forced him to take that step, to drink and sleep with a random girl.

I guess, that marriage destroyed him even more.

I reached to bed and composed myself and tried too hard to sound calm, "Miss, can you get out of my room? You should, right now." But it didn't happen, I ended up commanding her with gritted teeth and I was sure that I was shooting death glares to that stupid red head, she gazed me with those big hazel eyes filled with irritation as if I interrupted the perfect moment of her life.

Caleb groaned and tried to say something while glaring at me with his darkened sea blue eyes, I couldn't help but to feel sympathy for him, he was toyed. By Irene, first she became a friend of a person who never used to make friends and then when he decided to spend his life with her, she ditched. I cut the words that were inside Caleb's mouth by slightly yelling at the redhead, "I SAID GET OUT!"

She got off the bed and zipped her blouse then she stood in front of me with the smirk, that I couldn't admire for sure. I had an urge to slap her, but she opened her filthy mouth, "Mrs Pierce, your husband just made out with me, do you wanna read that in tomorrow's article?" Her words felt like blade on my heart.

I headed to my wardrobe and put out a diamond necklace then threw that on her face, before she could leave, I held her arm and dragged her outside my room by myself and warned her, "If you open your mouth, you'll be dead. I am assuring you."

"Sure, he was drunk, I tried to seduce him by asking for a lift, we were in car so no one saw us. Don't worry. This secret is save with me and he is good kiss-" I interrupted her by shutting the door of room at her face, hoping that she'd leave and shut her mouth. Anderson's and Pierce's reputation were at stake and she had to keep her slut mouth shut. At any cost or dad would have killed me, he would have blamed me.

I turned around and I jumped on my position, my hand reached to my heart.

Caleb stood in front me, I tried to pass by him but he grabbed my shoulders and pushed me on the door, my back hurt so bad. I squealed in pain, he then moved closer, his body could be pressed on mine anytime soon, I squirmed under his embrace and tried to get out but then he placed his both hands beside me, on the left and right locking me in between.

"What the hell!? Don't try to be my wife, you're forced on me. You're her replacement. And don't you think that she said to me to care of you so I'll do, I will never. Never means Never ever." He continued to yell, I looked up to his eyes that indicated the heaviness, he was so drunk. I pressed my hand on chest to push him away but he had no impact. His hair were mess, he had no coat on, I wondered where he left it. His shirt's first two buttons were opened and his shirt was crumbled as if that bitch was--. Urgh!

His every word felt like pin, tears threatened to come out of my eyes but I held them back, taking a sigh of defeat. I knew that the shred of courage and strength wasn't enough to bear his hatred. It mattered to me a lot. It hurt me a lot.

I spoke as calmly as I could because the way he was glaring at me, if looks could have killed I was surely dead in a second. "I wasn't being a wife, I was just saving the reputation of our families."

He grunted and groaned then pulled himself away from me, threw the vase that was somewhere there and yelled, "I have done enough for this family's reputation okay? enough! I just married to you! Isn't that enough torment? I don't even know why marriage came in my mum's head in return of helping your pervert father."

He could've referred me as his torment but he had no right to call my dad pervert. He was my dad. Good or bad, it was my right to decide not his, I wanted to slap him and lecture him but seeing his drunk condition, I helped him, he was limping and before he could fall I held him, he wrapped his hand around my neck and I held his waist, his weight was totally on me.

He was passing out, the words he mumbled were hardly audible, I walked to bed and lay him down, but before I could turn around and go, I saw his hand was grasping the hem of my shirt, his hold was tight but I pulled that out of his grip.

I sat beside him, he was sleeping like an angel who was broken, lost. Just like how Katerina described, I saw why she was so desperate to have his son pulled back towards life because when his blue hopeless eyes were closed and hooded by those long eyelashes, and when those lips were pursed sealing every confession, every pain inside them, all I could see was a man who had no love for himself, no love for the world around him.

He was really just spending a life without living it.

I unbuttoned his sleeves and folded then rolled up to his elbows, then I took the shoes and socks out. He was sweating, as much as I hated Air condition, I had to switch it on for him. I pulled those loose strand of hair that were resting on his forehead back. I had nothing against him but I knew that he had everything against me.

He hated me, well, hatred wasn't new to me. But from him, I thought it was gonna hurt more than a lot. And I guess, I was right. His hatred mattered a lot. I felt my head exploding and my eyes shutting down so I decided to sleep but sleeping beside him wasn't any choice and although he would have hated to see me beside him too so I walked to the couch, that was pretty big for me then I lay down there with my eyes closed, having tears swimming in them.

What was going to happen?

Caleb and me?

What? How?

I heaved a sigh and then I was in deep slumber.