Coming Home | Scarlett Johansson's Daughter |

ROUGH AFTERNOON

NEW YORK 2024 - SCARLETT'S APARTMENT

Scarlett sat at her desk in the corner of her spacious living room, juggling two business calls at once. Her phone was pressed to her ear while her laptop buzzed with incoming emails. Outside the large windows, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the New York skyline. She rubbed her temple, a little overwhelmed by the constant demands of work, but a small smile appeared on her lips as she glanced at the time. Rose and Violet would be home soon.

The buzzer from the front door interrupted her thoughts, signaling their arrival. Scarlett quickly wrapped up her call. "Thank you, yes. I'll review the contract and send my notes. Talk soon."

She stood, walking over to the door and opening it up with a warm smile. The apartment was filled with the familiar rush of energy that always accompanied Rose, Violet, and Ryan's other kids. Rose came barreling through the door first.

"Hi, Mama!" Rose chirped, hugging Scarlett briefly before dashing past her towards her room, her little feet thudding against the hardwood floors.

"Hey, slow down, Rosie!" Scarlett called after her, laughing softly. She turned back to see Ryan standing in the doorway, holding Inez's hand while James stood beside him, shifting her weight from foot to foot.

"Can I use the bathroom?" James asked, her voice urgent.

"Me too!" Inez chimed in, bouncing on her toes.

Scarlett chuckled, stepping aside."Of course, go ahead," Scarlett responded warmly. "The bathroom's right down the hall."

James and Inez hurried past Scarlett. As they disappeared toward the bathroom, Scarlett's eyes lingered on Violet, who stood at the door, unusually quiet.

Violet's brows were furrowed, and her lips were pressed into a tight line. She wasn't the talkative, bubbly girl Scarlett had seen that morning. Ryan looked... off. His usual easygoing, light-hearted demeanor was absent. Instead, he appeared tense, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, and there was a faint but unmistakable nervousness in his eyes. He met Scarlett's gaze, and she immediately sensed that something was going on.

"Hey, honey," Scarlett said softly, reaching out to gently touch Violet's shoulder. "How was your day?"

Violet didn't answer right away. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest, her face scrunched into an expression that could only be described as a teenage scowl. She looked up at her mom, clearly frustrated.

"He won't let me go to Mallory's party," Violet said, her words tumbling out in a rush, as though she had been holding them in for hours.

Scarlett raised an eyebrow, her eyes darting to Ryan. He looked back at her with a kind of weary resignation. Clearly, this conversation had already taken place, and it hadn't gone well.

Ryan sighed and shrugged slightly. "It's not that I don't want her to go—"

"You said I can't go!" Violet interrupted, her voice climbing in frustration. She uncrossed her arms, letting them fall to her sides in exasperation.

"I said I wanted to talk to your mom about this first," Ryan began, his voice calm but firm, trying to defuse Violet's frustration. "But Violet, the party just... it's not a good idea."

"Why not?" Violet snapped, her voice rising with irritation.

Scarlett could see the storm brewing. She took a deep breath, stepping between them slightly, her instincts kicking in to mediate. "Violet, can you tell me more about the party?" she asked, keeping her tone neutral.