Edited 6/22/2018
Note: This chapter has been edited. If you've already read this part please reread the part where you see "*Edited*" .
The story might get a little confusing if you have not read the edited version since a few changes have been made in the plot.
"When your heart breaks, you gotta fight like hell to make sure you're still alive. Because you are. And that pain you feel? That's life. The confusion and fear, that's there to remind you that somewhere out there is something better. And that something is worth fighting for." -Nathan Scott, One Tree Hill
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I stretched as I got out of bed. I checked the time it was already eleven, which was unusual for me. I never slept in, not even on the weekends.
I made my way to my dresser leisurely. My eye went to the broken frame which Nichole had shattered a few days ago. Sara and I had stayed up late trying to glue the pieces back together but it didn't really make much of a difference, it was ruined. My heart clenched painfully. The photo-frame had been the last gift my mother had given.
I sighed as I removed the picture from the ruined frame.
It was a picture from the day I was born, my mother told me that one of the nurses had taken it. I was only a few hours old, wrapped up in a bundle of blankets. I gazed longingly at my mother's smiling face, she was looking down at me lovingly.
I cursed as the picture slipped from my trembling hands.
I gasped when a flash of my mother's familiar handwriting met my eyes.
My heart thudded wildly as I picked the picture up and turned it around.
I nearly collapsed.
Neat words were scribbled on the backside of the picture in my mother's handwriting.
I sunk down to the floor as my eyes started skimming over the letters,
"To my dearest daughter,
If you're reading this letter then I have already left.
I'm so sorry my love. I am sorry for all the pain I put you through.
There are things you need to know Scarlett, things you deserve to know. Things I couldn't tell you when I was alive.
I need to tell you the real reason why we left. Why I left your father.
This won't be easy for you darling and I apologize once more for hurting you, but you need to know. This letter is the hardest thing I ever had to write.
Even before your father and I went for the check-up I knew I wasn't well. I'd been having terrible headaches and blackouts for over a week.
The doctor ran tests and the results came out a few days later.
I was sick. Very sick. It was worse than I expected.
I only had a few years left to live.
I was calm. But you should have seen your father Scarlett, I'd never seen him so broken.
Your father talked to the doctor and asked him if there was anything they could do. We were told that there was a surgery they could perform on me before the disease progressed further, if the surgery was successful I would have a normal and healthy life but if the surgery was to fail I'd die.
They told me that the survival ration was fifty-fifty.
I had a choice. I could either having the surgery for a fifty percent chance of a healthy life, or I could spend the next couple of years peacefully with you.
I decided that I couldn't risk it. I'd be grateful for whatever time I had.
Your father didn't agree. I didn't blame him. We started getting into fights. He wanted me to have the surgery. He said that if there was even the smallest chance that I could survive I had to take it. He wasn't ready to lose me.
I knew I was being selfish but I was so scared Scarlett.
I knew I was causing him a lot of pain. I was scared he'd tell you and then you'd ask me to have the surgery.
I didn't want you to know Scarlett. I didn't want to spend the next few years we had together worrying about me. I didn't want you hurting. I wanted our last memories to be filled with love and joy.
But I knew I couldn't give your father that. Every minute he looked at me I could feel his heart-break. I could see him hurting.
It's human nature, people don't like to feel helpless. You can't just accept that the person you love only has a few short years left to live.
I couldn't hurt him like that Scarlett. I loved him too much. So I left. I was so relieved when you chose to come with me even though I knew it was because you were suffering.
A few days after we left your father came to see me. I know I never told you and I'm sorry.
He begged me to come back but I couldn't, even though I loved him so much. I told him not to keep coming back and torturing himself like this. When I asked him to do that, I broke him Scarlett. I broke the man I loved.
Two years have passed and I've made so many beautiful memories with you darling. I will cherish each and every one of them.
A few days ago your father came to see me again. But this time he wasn't alone. He bought Sara with him.
He told me about her.
He wanted my permission to marry her.
At first I was angry Scarlett. So angry.
I wanted to hate him.
But I couldn't.
I saw the way Sara looked at him. It was the same way I used to look at him. She really loves him. I could tell that he had found solace in her. It was hard to accept it at first but I did.
I have so much admiration for Sara. That woman managed to bring together the man I had broken with her love. She'd been there for him when I wasn't. She had embraced his pain.
So I wholeheartedly gave my consent. And I hope Sara and Richard have a beautiful life.
I need you to be strong Scarlett. Open your heart up to people again.
I want you to forgive.
I want you to love.
I want you to live.
I know I was a coward. But I don't regret my decision. Whatever happens I can never regret the beautiful moments I spent with you.
I hope you don't hate me. I wouldn't be able to bear that. I love you so much my baby.
Everything I did was because I love you.
I am always with you.
Love, Mom."
By the time I finished reading the letter I was sobbing uncontrollably.
Everything I'd believed in had been wrong.
The door of my room opened and my father stepped in. He was about to say something when his eyes suddenly caught my sobbing body on the floor.
At once he was beside me.
"What's wrong?!" His panicked voice demanded.
I had treated my father so badly. I hurt him so much and he never said a word in his own defense.
I flung myself at him. Hugging him tightly, like my life depended on it.
"I'm so sorry dad. I read mom's letter. I know everything. I'm sorry. I love you." I sobbed into his chest.
For a minute he stilled completely I could tell that he was in shock but then he hugged me back tightly.
I could feel his own tears falling.
We stayed like that for a long time. Arms around each other. Reminiscing. Crying for everything we had lost.
But in my heart I knew, that moment everything had changed.
For the first time I felt like the past wasn't weighing me down. I was finally looking forward instead of looking back.
~~~~~~~~~~
*Edited*
"Hey Scarlett!" Sara's familiar voice called out as she walked into my room.
My face broke into a grin. "Hi!" I greeted her.
Sara and I had gotten closer in the past few weeks. My mother's letter had definitely changed a lot of things, for the better.
"So, is your dad home yet?" She asked casually.
"Nope." I answered. "He won't be back till another hour or two."
"Great!" She grinned and I gave her a confused look.
"You know how your dad's birthday is next week right?" Her voice sounded excited.
I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously. "Yeah?"
"Richard has been so caught up with his work lately. I can see how exhausted he is. So, as a gift, I was planning a trip for the two of us to the Hamptons."
"That sounds nice." I encouraged.
"I wanted to ask if it was okay with you?" She looked at me expectantly.
I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Of coarse it's okay with me. Dad needs a break. You guys go, have fun."
"Are you sure? You could come with, the three of us could have a lot of fun." She persisted.
I shook my head."You know I can't. I'm already behind in college. I can't miss any more classes. But you and dad have to go, okay? It'll make me happy."
The next minute Sara threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly.
"Thank you!" She said compassionately and I hugged her back.
Opening up your heart to people is scary. You leave your self vulnerable. It's like handing a gun to someone and standing in front of them without a bulletproof vest.
But sometimes risks pay off and you end up with something beautiful.
~~
We talked for a little while longer and then Sara had to leave.
I walked her to the door.
I was about to tell her goodbye when I saw him.
I gasped at the sight that met my eyes as soon as we stepped outside.
Hunter stood in front of us. Bent over as he worked under the hood of our car.
His face and arms were slick with sweat. The white V-neck shirt he wore clung to his perfectly sculpted body and was practically see through.
Sara and I just stood there for a moment in shock.
I turned to look at Sara and found her looking at Hunter with a strange expression on her face.
Just as I was about to ask her Hunter noticed us. He slowly closed the hood of the car and gave us a grin.
"Your dad called me over to take a look at the car because it wouldn't start." He answered the unasked question. "It's all good now. The radiator had overheated because the coolant was running low." He explained.
I just nodded mutely.
"I should go." Sara suddenly spoke up she looked uneasy.
As she turned to leave I watched her and Hunter exchange a look.
What's that all about?
As soon as Sara was gone Hunter's eyes met mine.
I just stood there for a while unsure of what to do.
"Do you want to come inside for a glass of lemonade and some cake?" I finally asked.
He nodded slowly. I held the door open for him and he stepped inside. His arm brushed against my chest lightly as he walked past me and I nearly gasped.
I swallowed as I led him to the kitchen.
Why was I suddenly so nervous?
Things between the two of us had been a lot less strained lately but there was always a weird tension between us which I didn't understand.
I cleared my throat as I took out a pitcher of lemonade and the chocolate cake from the fridge.
I poured him a class and he immediately started chugging it down. I watched his Adam's apple bob as he gulped. A single drop escaped his lips and trailed down his chin.
My tongue darted out to wet my lips.
He started to set the glass down and I quickly tore my eyes away from him. If he caught me he'd probably think I was some kind of creep.
I grabbed a plate and helped myself to a slice of cake. I took a bite and closed my eyes as I savored the sweet taste.
As soon as I opened my eyes they met with his. He was staring at me intently. Something about the way he looked at me made me feel lightheaded.
"You should try the cake. It's delicious." I said finally.
Hunter's eyes didn't leave my face as he stepped forward slowly, till he was right in front of me. "You have some chocolate. . ." My breath hitched when I felt his thumb swipe against the corner of my mouth gently, "Right here." He finished.
I watched as he bought his thumb to his mouth.
God help me.
I can't breathe.
"Delicious." He rasped as he took another step towards me.
The look on his face was so intense that I stepped back.
My foot slipped and I screamed as I lost my balanced. My hands clutched at Hunter's shirt in panic bringing him down with me.
I waited for the hard impact of the ground but at the last possible second Hunter switched our places so that he hit the floor instead and I fell down on top of him.
"Are you okay? Oh My God! I'm so sorry." I burst out.
He raised himself off the floor till we were practically nose to nose.
"Never been better." His lips drew into a smirk.
I realized that I was practically sitting on his lap and blushed.
I got up to my feet and Hunter followed suit. I could feel him still looking at me.
"Meet me outside at midnight." His voice was breathy, pleading.
I blinked. When his words finally registered I found myself already nodding my head.
His lips spread into a slow smirk and he turned to leave.
"Look forward to seeing you tonight sweetheart."
~~~~~~~~~
A/N: I cried while writing Scarlett's mom's letter. :'(
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