Wilting Roses (Formerly known as Arranged)

Peace

Chapter Thirty Eight

The home to the second eldest was much smaller than they had expected. The entire family huddled in the living room area, each one wrapped in a blanket seeking the warmth of fire. The Hearts sat near the window where they too huddled close to one another. As for Dathan, he stood near the entrance, his posture rigid and uncomfortable.

He watched as Scarlett's mother wept and her father consoled her. The rest of her sisters all sat quietly, their eyes stared into nothingness as the awful truth of the cause to Drake's death and the house burning to rubble was once again acknowledged.

"I had thought her to be with you. We thought she wanted to be left alone in your company. When last we checked she had gone off to see how you were doing." Sir Worthington explained. He stood trying to wipe away the tear that had slipped from his eyes.

"It is our fault, we lost our train of thought after what happened. We should have supported Scarlett in her darkest hour yet we pushed it to the far back of our mind to see our fathers hard work burn to the ground. She should have been our focus." Mia whispered as a few stray tears slipped from her eyes.

"We must find her, bring her home." Her mother wept.

"They will be looking for her mother. Word has spread quickly of Drake's death, the family has come looking for answers, you and I both know that if caught, Scarlett will face life in prison. Drake's mother knew, she knew of everything." Larisa said, for only a fraction of a second did she glance in Dathan's direction.

"They cannot blame Drake's death on Scarlett. They know nothing of her." Dathan spoke out.

"Lady Worral knew that her son was in love with Scarlett. I received a letter from Drake that fateful day thinking he would propose. Mother and I went to seek means of a new dress and when I arrived he confessed to me his true intentions. His last words to me where that he would seek Scarlett out to tell her how he felt and to ask...for her hand instead." Nichole whispered.

"They are desperate for answers and they will stop at nothing to have them. They suspect Scarlett having to do something with his death, they have often come seeking to speak with her." Mia frightfully said.

"Do you have the slightest of clues what could have happened?" Larisa asked Dathan.

And so Dathan began to explain how Scarlett and he had met at the market where they both had agreed to meet on that fortunate day. When he had arrived, the house had already been on fire and he had only managed to rescue Scarlett who huddled in a corner. By the time he got to Drake he had already been burn to a crisp.

"This makes no sense, did Drake start the fire? Did he succeed in violating her and thought to burn the place down with her inside?" Larisa asked.

Dathan shook his head and lowered his gaze. Maybe it was the reason why Scarlett had sought to flee. She was ashamed and...broken. The small four walls to the living room began to feel too tight for Dathan's comfort. Taking a deep breath he rubbed at his neck trying to control the knots in his stomach.

Drake had violated her and Scarlett had fled, seeking elsewhere where she could find peace. Then it hit him so abruptly as he grasped at the image in his mind.

"I know where she's gone." he said aloud. The chatter stopped and everyone turned to look in his direction.

"Bring her home." His father said, while taking hold of his sons shoulder.

***

She hummed as she went about sweeping the floor boards. Three days had gone by and she had grown accustomed to the isolated atmosphere in her new home. The entire place smelled of the mouth watering cakes she had baked only yesterday. Sonia was to come in two days time and she anticipated her friend's arrival.