Falling Back to You | Benedict Cumberbatch ✓

chapter nine

❝This is going to be one hell of a dinner...❞

Scarlett's POV

"So... what outfit do you need?" Lucy asks me as she shuffles through the clothes in my wardrobe.

"Something that doesn't scream 'I love you still,' but a 'I am here to support you.'" She lifts an eyebrow at me and I frown. "Just something not too revealing-"

"-and hides the... bump?" Sighing, I nod lightly. "You haven't told him, have you?" I shake my head.

"He looks happy with... Katherine..." My voice shakes a little as I force her name out of my mouth. "... I'd rather it ruin it by telling him I'm pregnant when he's happy." Lucy pulls out a baggy dress and a warm cardigan.

"Well... this screams 'not too revealing.' And you've got a cardigan for you know what." She sits next to me and rubs my shoulder. "Try to have a good time, don't think about anything. Paul, I'm guessing, will help you. And I'll be looking after the girls." Lucy smiles and I wrap my arms around her.

"Thank you. I'm just going to... put this on. Let Paul know I'll be ready in a bit." Lucy gets up and as she is out of the room, I get changed.

A few moments later, someone knocks on my door.

"It's me. Are you... clothed?" He asks and I hear him giggling on the other side.

"Yes!" I yell excitedly. I dart my head towards the door and Paul stepped in. "You look dapper... for once." Paul shakes his head.

"Come on, I've always looked dapper. It's how I get the girls." He smirks and I laugh quietly. "How are you doing?" Paul asks and rubs my back.

"... Good."

"You hesitated sis." I shrug.

"I guess I just have to be completely fine with the fact that I am seeing my ex-husband and his girlfriend at a dinner while I am sitting there pregnant with his child!" I cry out and take a deep breath.

"And... that is why I'm here. For your support." He lightly kisses my forehead.

"That Paul, it means a lot." I smile.

"Shall we get going then?" Looking at myself in the mirror, I sigh.

"Let's get this dinner over with." And with those words we had entered Paul's car and were on our way to Benedict's​and Katherine's or as I called her- raging bitch- flat.

I was nervous. I was more nervous than my wedding day, which was saying something.

As I kept myself scared, Paul was reassuring me the whole way and I loved him for it.

Just half an hour later, we had sat down at the table, quietly munching on our food.

The silence was deafening.

Until Benedict, being himself, broke it.

"So, how's the hunt for the women Paul?" He asks my brother and Paul glances at me.

"Well, I'm not sitting next to a hot chick than my sister, so I'd say pretty well! Not that you're not hot sis... You are." Benedict smirks and I told my eyes. Katherine glared at me. She hated that me and Benedict were even looking at each other, let alone talk to each other.

She squeezes Benedict's hand and buts in.

"Did you know that I got a new job?" I respond bluntly.

"No." Katherine gasped and kissed Benedict.

"Well, I got my lawyer job at a top organisation. And it's all thanks to Benny. My Benny." She rubs his chest and I noticed something.

Something shiny on her finger and I froze.

"Scarlett, Scarlett?" I hear Paul call and I snap out of my shock.

"Sorry, I was... just.... admiring that... ring on your finger." Darting my gaze to Benedict, my heart slowly sank.

"Oh gosh, did we forget to tell them?" Katherine said sarcastically. "Do you want to tell them?" Benedict looks at me and I divert my eyes away from his.

"Well... We-"

"We're engaged!" Katherine squeals and the room falls silent. Paul is the first to speak.

"That's... good. Great! Congratulations." He looks at me and I take a deep breath, shivering.

"Y-yes. Congratulations... Sorry I need to just take a little air..." I rush out from my seat and take a deep breaths.

I rubbed my baby bump and dropped my head. Then, I feel a hand on my back and I gasp.

"It's only me sis." Turning round, I immediately wrap my arms around him and buried my head into his shoulder. "I know this is hard but... remember what you said. Keep it together." I lift my head and nod, noticing Benedict behind Paul. "I'll give you two a minute." I cover my bump and Benedict slowly edges towards me.

"You... okay?" He asks and I nod.

"I'm... happy for you. I hope she makes you happy." Seeing Katherine behind Benedict, I turn towards her. "Need any help?"

"Sure." She says and I follow her into the kitchen. I help Katherine wash her dishes and suddenly, she turns me around.

"He's different, you've done something, haven't you?" She says in anger.

"No, I-"

"Just remember, when I get married to him, I'll shove all the kids into boarding school if you mess with this marriage. You haven't to promise not to come back here to see him."

"I..." Swallowing, I continue. "I promise."