Chapter 13
Harrison froze.
“Left? Left for where?
Dylan answered, “She’s joining a classified aerospace research project. She left this morning.”
Harrison stood there, stunned.
Scarlett had left for a business trip just to avoid the wedding?
A flicker of irritation rose in him. Scarlett’s temper was getting out of hand.
“When is she coming back?” he asked immediately.
Dylan knew Harrison and was well aware that he was Scarlett’s fiancé. That was why
Harrison’s question left him even more puzzled.
“Didn’t Scarlett tell you? She’s part of a top–secret research project. There’s no set timeline. At the very leasf, she won’t be back for another ten years.”
Ten years?
Harrison’s face went completely pale.
Meanwhile, at Nebula Aerospace Base, a private helicopter touched down. As Scarlett stepped off, a woman was already waiting for her.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Melanie Clark. I’ll be your mentor here.”
Melanie led Scarlett to the dorms, giving her a rundown of the cafeteria, work schedules, and general base rules.
Then, she said, “I heard you’re the heiress to the Yeager family. Life here is pretty bare–bones. Are you sure you can handle it?”
Scarlett smiled. “I don’t mind. A simple life is fine. I came here for work anyway.”
At that, Melanie chuckled and extended a hand. “Welcome to Project Aether.”
Scarlett shook her hand firmly. “Thank you.”
The dream that was shattered in her past life could finally be continued in this one.
Harrison had no idea how he made it back to the steele residence. By the time he walked through the door, still in a daze, Ella rushed up to him. “So? Did you find Scarlett?”
Her voice snapped him back to reality. “She… left for an aerospace research base.”
“A research base?” Ella blinked. “You mean like a work trip? How long?”
Harrison’s hands clenched into fists. “At least ten years. Maybe… forever.”
Each word felt like it drained the air from his lungs.
“Forever?” Ella’s face paled. Then, as if something clicked, she muttered, “So that’s why…”
Harrison’s gaze sharpened. “Why what?”
“I heard she signed a bunch of long–term contracts with her managers and even put some of her assets into a trust. I assumed she was just preparing for marriage, but it turns out she was planning to leave all along.”
A realization hit Harrison like a slap. His tone was laced with frustration as he scolded, “And you didn’t think to tell me sooner?”
Ella immediately snapped back, “I should be the one questioning you! Why did she leave so suddenly? She used to love you, yet overnight, she broke off the engagement and disappeared to the other side of the world! What did you do to her?”
“L…
“” ”
Harrison’s first instinct was to deny it, but the words caught in his throat.
Then, like floodgates bursting open, memories rushed in.
After they slept together that night, he had agreed to marry Scarlett, but he had treated her with scorn. Then, he had seized Livia’s final masterpiece for Hazel, only for Hazel to accidentally shatter it.
Later, when Hazel was drugged, he had immediately assumed it was Scarlett’s doing. He had even drugged her in return, thinking he was merely giving her a taste of her own medicine.
And just days ago, he had left Scarlett behind in that fire.
Now, with Ella demanding answers, he realized that just in the past few days alone, he had hurt Scarlett so many times. Not to mention the years of neglect.
Suddenly, he turned on his heel.
Ella asked, “Where are you going?”
Harrison’s face was grim as he replied, “I’m bringing her back!”
