Only half a day earlier, Scarlett had told Ezra she was kidnapped. Now she stood right in front of him, back in the country as if nothing had happened.

From Ezra's point of view, she didn't appear like someone who had suffered at all.

Slowly, Scarlett raised her eyes to meet his. The warmth that once filled her gaze whenever she looked at him had vanished without a trace. "We need to end this. I want a divorce."

Shock flickered across Ezra's face before it hardened. "Do you even hear yourself right now?"

Her tone stayed steady, stripped of feeling. "I'm very clear about it. I'm asking for a divorce."

"A divorce?" He gave a short, mocking laugh and swept his hand toward the grand interior around them. "After we split, where do you plan to go? Back to the countryside? You've enjoyed this life as Mrs. Wilson, surrounded by money and comfort. What more could you possibly want?"

His words sent a chill straight through her.

In his mind, she was incapable of standing on her own, as if her existence depended entirely on a husband.

What he never bothered to learn was that long before she married him, she had already built a name for herself as one of the country's leading jewelry designers.

She had stepped away from the spotlight and given up the career she loved so she could focus on their marriage.

Looking back now, that sacrifice felt almost ridiculous.

"If anyone wants the title of Mrs. Wilson, they can have it," Scarlett said, her eyes holding nothing but cold. "The papers are on the table. Read them and sign."

Without waiting for his reply, she turned and headed for the door, dragging the suitcase behind her.

A deeper shadow crossed Ezra's face, and he gave a harsh laugh. "Scarlett, if you step out that door today, don't even think about coming back."

"Relax. I have no intention of returning." Scarlett didn't hesitate. A cold smile touched her lips as she met his eyes.

At that moment, Sylvia Wilson, Ezra's mother, descended the stairs in a silk nightgown. The suitcase by Scarlett's side made her stop short. "What is this? Are you planning to run off?"

Scarlett faced her calmly. A faint curve lifted the corner of her mouth, but her voice carried no warmth. "Yes. I'm filing for divorce. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"

From the day she entered the Wilson household, she had been met with endless criticism and quiet humiliation. Sylvia found fault in everything she did, reminded her she was an orphan, and never missed a chance to praise Roselyn, the heiress of the Lloyd family, while belittling Scarlett at every turn.

Sylvia studied her for a few seconds before letting out a sharp scoff. "You should've left a long time ago."

She then shifted her attention to her son. "She's a walking disaster. Keeping her here only invites trouble. She's an orphan with no background. How could she ever be worthy of you? Roselyn is the only one who suits you. End this marriage and clear the way for her."

A heavy look settled over Ezra's face. "Mom, that's enough."

"Am I lying? She married into this family and lives in luxury, yet she still complains. Scarlett, since you're the one asking for a divorce, don't you dare come begging to return later," Sylvia replied without hesitation as she folded her arms.

Scarlett watched the two of them and felt nothing but disbelief.

This was the family she had cared for over the past three years, the people she had tried so hard to please.

A hollow laugh slipped from Scarlett's lips. She squared her shoulders and met their eyes without flinching. "Marrying into this family was the biggest mistake I've ever made. From today on, we have nothing to do with each other. I don't want to see any of you again."

She gripped the handle of her suitcase and walked out without once turning her head.

"Scarlett! Get back here!"

Ezra moved on instinct, ready to follow her, but Sylvia caught his arm and pulled him back.

"Why are you running after her?" she said with certainty. "She's putting on an act to gain the advantage. Just wait. When she realizes she can't survive out there, she'll return on her own. And when she does, make sure she understands her place."

Ezra stood frozen as Scarlett's figure grew smaller and finally vanished into the night. A sharp ache tightened around his chest, as if something he should've held onto had slipped through his fingers.

...

Beyond the gates of the mansion, the wind moved through the trees, and their leaves rustled under the dark sky.

With her suitcase rolling behind her, Scarlett walked along the quiet road and drew in the cool air. For the first time in a long while, her mind felt clear.

Headlights appeared in the distance, and a black luxury car slowed before stopping in front of her.

The rear door opened.

A long leg stepped onto the pavement.

Dressed in a tailored black suit, the man carried himself with steady confidence. His sharp features and composed stance spoke of power and status.

He walked straight toward her. The moment he noticed her pale face and the mud staining her dress, something shifted in his usually decisive gaze.

"Scarlett," he called out, his deep voice unsteady despite his effort to control it. "I'm your brother. I've spent the last year searching for you. I finally found you."

The moment Grayson Gordon confirmed where Scarlett was staying, he drove straight over without delay.

At last, he was standing in front of the sister he had been separated from for ages.

Scarlett looked at him as if she had misheard. "Brother?"

Her whole life, she had believed she was nothing more than an abandoned child left at an orphanage.

Keeping his eyes on her, Grayson spoke with steady certainty. "My name is Grayson, from the Gordon family in Mastin. Twenty three years ago, a nanny in our household let greed take over. She wanted her own daughter to live the life that belonged to you, so she switched you at birth and left you at an orphanage. We uncovered the truth last year. Since then, we've been searching for you. Today, we finally found you."

The handle of her suitcase dug into her palm as her fingers tightened.

The Gordon family of Mastin? The one that stood at the very top?

Doubt flickered across her face.

Grayson pulled a pocket watch from his coat and flipped it open. Inside was a small family portrait. "Take a look. This is our mother. You have her face."

Scarlett's eyes settled on the woman in the photo. The resemblance was undeniable, and for a brief moment, her thoughts went blank.

"If you still have doubts," he added gently, "we can run a DNA test."

...

Three hours later, inside a private hospital in Mastin, Grayson handed Scarlett the DNA report. His eyes were red, and his voice had turned hoarse. "Do you believe me now?"

The results left no room for doubt. Their blood matched.

Tears rushed into Scarlett's eyes before she could stop them.

All those years, she hadn't been abandoned by her family.

She had been born into one of the most influential families in the country.

Grayson stood and placed his suit jacket carefully over her shoulders. "Let's go home," he said softly. "Everyone's been waiting for you."

On the way to the Gordon Estate, several black luxury cars followed behind them, forming a procession grand enough to draw attention from anyone who saw it.

Their convoy made its way into a private hillside community where every stretch of land carried a staggering price.

When the gates opened, uniformed staff lined both sides of the driveway. As one, they bowed and called out, "Welcome home, Miss Gordon!"

The car had barely come to a stop when an elegant woman hurried forward and wrapped Scarlett in a tight embrace.

"My child, we've finally found you. This happened because I failed to protect you. You must've suffered so much."

Tears streamed down Gillian Gordon's face as she held her daughter close.

Beside them, Walter Gordon, Scarlett 's father, stood with reddened eyes. His voice trembled as he spoke. "Scarlett, you're home at last."

Inside the living room, her four older brothers waited in a neat row.

Standing closest to her was Bobby Gordon, the second eldest and a leading star in the entertainment world. He looked at her with open affection. "Scarlett, if anyone so much as makes things difficult for you, I'll make sure they can't survive in this industry."

Beside him, Chris Gordon pushed up his gold rimmed glasses. As a renowned surgeon and the third brother, he tried to mask the redness in his eyes. "From now on, your health is my responsibility, Scarlett. I'll personally see to it."

Jackson Gordon, known as one of the best hackers around, watched her with a steady gaze. "I already accessed the Wilson Group's internal system. Just give me a nod, and their stock will crash tomorrow."

At the end of the line stood Matthew Gordon, the youngest, a race car driver with a rebellious streak. His eyes were damp as he clenched his fists. "Just tell me where that Wilson bastard is. I'll handle him myself."

Scarlett took in the sight of all of them.

The scene felt unfamiliar, yet a steady warmth spread through her chest.

Starting today, she wasn't alone.

The following morning, she woke to the soft sound of footsteps. Gillian entered the room carrying a bowl of freshly prepared nutritional food.

"You're up, Scarlett? Good. I made this for you," Gillian said as she sat at the edge of the bed. She lifted a spoonful, blew on it carefully, and brought it toward Scarlett's mouth.

Emotion rose in Scarlett's chest. "Mom, I can eat by myself..."

"No way," her four brothers answered together from the doorway.

Leaning casually against the frame, Grayson folded his arms. "Just do what Mom says."

Bobby stepped forward, glanced at the bowl, and clicked his tongue softly. "You're too weak right now. You need real nutrition."

Their open concern tightened Scarlett's throat.

From that morning on, the family brought in six private nutritionists to handle her recovery. Every dish was planned around her condition, with no detail overlooked.

Her breakfast became a carefully simmered restorative soup designed to rebuild her strength. At noon, premium cuts of imported beef were served at the table. Even in the afternoon, trays of rare herbal infusions and light pastries were set out for her.

Chris took things even further. He turned her bedroom into something close to a clinic just for her, checking her vitals three times a day. He adjusted her recovery plan himself and prepared personalized supplements and restorative meals, making sure the formulas were effective but not overly bitter.

With an easy grin that lit up his striking features, Bobby looked at her and muttered, "Scarlett, once you're fully recovered, we'll make the Wilson family pay for everything they did."

Right then, the butler, Benjamin Moss, hurried in with worry written across his face. "Mr. Owen is here."

Walter stopped in the middle of serving himself and looked up. "Why would he come here?"

"He said he's here to cancel the engagement."

A shadow crossed Matthew's face at once. "Cancel it? That match was set up by Grandfather. Do they really think they can walk away whenever they feel like it? Are we supposed to just accept that?"

Bobby gave a short, amused scoff. "Scarlett just came home, and they rush over to end it? What exactly do they think of the Gordon family?"

After gently wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin, Scarlett lifted her head. "The Owen family... are they influential?"

Gillian exhaled softly and held Scarlett's hand. "Scarlett, even within powerful circles, there are levels. We have our standing, but the Owens sit at the very top. Its current head took over the Owen Group at a young age, and his methods are known to be decisive and unforgiving. Your grandfather arranged that engagement years ago. At the time, it was meant to secure ties between the two families..."

Her voice faltered, and her eyes grew damp again. When Scarlett disappeared years ago, the engagement had been transferred to the woman they had raised in her place. Now that Scarlett had returned, the Owens had come to withdraw. It was obvious they didn't place much value on a daughter who hadn't grown up in their circle.

Scarlett nodded calmly. "So it was decided long ago." She met her mother's gaze without hesitation. "I don't even know him, and he clearly doesn't want this marriage. Ending it now is probably the best outcome. You can't make something work if it was never meant to happen," she said evenly. Then she looked at Walter. "Dad, let's go downstairs. We shouldn't leave our guests waiting."

Grayson followed her with his eyes as she walked away, and quiet pride showed on his face.

...

Inside the Gordon family's living room, the atmosphere felt tight and restrained.

Asher occupied the black leather sofa at the center.

His suit was cut to perfection, and he sat with one leg crossed over the other, relaxed yet commanding, as if the entire room belonged to him.

At his side, his assistant stepped forward and set a document on the table. "Mr. Gordon, this is the agreement to formally end the engagement. As compensation, the Owen Group is willing to provide three hundred million in cash."

Anger flashed across Walter's face, and he was on the verge of responding when a steady female voice came from the staircase.

"There won't be any need for compensation." Scarlett walked down step by step, her tone calm and firm. "I'm willing to end the engagement."

Asher lifted his gaze. The instant he saw her clearly, his eyes narrowed just a little, and a hint of amusement tugged at his lips.

It was her. The woman he had met on that stormy night was standing before him now, and she was the Gordon family's heiress.

Dressed in a pale pink tweed dress, Scarlett walked forward with soft curls falling neatly down her back. Her skin looked bright under the lights, and her delicate features carried a quiet elegance.

The moment she saw his face clearly, she stopped in her tracks.

She never imagined the man from that night would be sitting here.

After a brief pause, she steadied herself and reached for the agreement on the table.

Before her fingers could brush the paper, a long, defined hand came down and held it in place.

Asher leaned in slightly, and the subtle scent of cedar surrounded her.

His eyes locked onto hers, and a faint smile appeared. "So you're the one I was meant to marry?"

"The previous engagement was assigned to the girl we raised when Scarlett was missing. Now that our biological daughter has returned, the arrangement naturally shifts back to her," Walter answered calmly.

Asher's fingers tapped against the tabletop in an easy rhythm. His tone sounded relaxed, yet firm. "Then there's no need to cancel it. The engagement remains."