Vivian was sitting in the living room, sipping some juice that a maid served her earlier. She could hear Adrian incessantly knocking on Scarlett's door, asking her to open up. She was worried and wondered if they had a fight but decided to let them sort out their own problems unless they decided to involve her.
The doorbell rang and a maid went to see who it was. Detective Roberts made his way in and went to meet Vivian in the living room.
“Oh detective, what brings you here?” Vivian offered him a seat but he was far too busy glaring at her to sit down. He did not look happy at all and she immediately noticed.
“Is everything okay?” She asked.
“How exactly can everything be fine Vivian? When you have refused to come out with the truth and make things easier for everyone!?” The detective's voice was harsh and intimidating, making Vivian flinch from her position.
“What sort of embarrassment is this!? Why did you come to my house to yell at me?” She raged.
“All of this wouldn't be happening if you had just told the truth from the beginning. Just admit to your crime and everything will be okay!”
“I did not kill my husband!” Vivian argued, getting to her feet instantly. She was fed up with the accusations and wanted the case to be closed. She didn't care if the truth about her husband's murderer remained uncovered, she just wanted to get out of the endless turmoil of investigations. She didn't want to be blamed for her husband's death anymore.
“Come off it Vivian! We all know you did so just say the truth!” Detective Roberts continued.
“Just leave my house, I don't have time for this.
You couldn't find any proof against me and that's why you've resulted in yelling at me.” She barked at him and was about to sit down but the detective walked over to her and grabbed her hand harshly.
Vivian let out a shriek, trying to free herself from his tight grip.
“Let go, you insane man. Let go of me.” She yelled, pushing him with all her strength.
“Not until you confess. Say the truth you whore! You killed your husband, admit it.” He continued, dragging her arm back and forth and getting her dizzy. She was still trying to free herself when a strong arm came from nowhere and landed a heavy punch on Detective Roberts' face.
The detective staggered back, groaning in pain and finally letting go of Vivian's arm. Adrian immediately rushed to Vivian, holding her firmly and checking her for injuries.
“Are you okay?” He asked.
“That crook! You fool! I hope you die a painful death for everything you've put me through! You are nothing but a failure! As a detective and as a human being!” Vivian started to rain abuse at the wounded man who was still trying to tend to his broken lip.
“If you had just admitted the truth..”
“The truth!? You tormented me for years. In the name of investigation and I won't let that continue, do the fucking worst thing you can!” She added, ignoring Adrian who was trying to calm her down.
“You must admit the truth.” Detective Roberts yelled.
“Shut the fuck up, man. Haven't you had enough!? You're tormenting an innocent woman!” Adrian glared at him and he frowned.
Hearing all the commotion that was going on, Scarlett rushed downstairs and saw the scene. She stood there, by the staircase, watching the drama unfold.
“I… I..” Detective Roberts sighed, placing his hands on his waist. Everyone was staring at him, waiting for him to say whatever he had to say.
“I have to solve the case.”
“Then solve it and stop being such a prick.” Vivian fired.
“You don't understand, my job is at stake if I don't get to the root of this case. It was handed over to me but nothing has been done and my career is on the line! My self-fulfillment too! I'm so desperate to get it solved.” He passed his fingers through his hair desperately, a long sigh escaping his lips.
“So you're harassing me for your own selfish gain? You want to pin murder on me simply because you want a damn raise?” Vivian fired.
“Calm down okay?” Adrian whispered to her before turning to the detective.
“I don't want to be the one to teach you how to do your job but instead of putting all your effort into proving that one person is guilty? Why don't you try digging into the lives of other people who were present at the time of the supposed murder?” Adrian carefully explained.
Detective Roberts raised his eyebrows in surprise, ashamed that he didn't think about broadening his vision. No wonder he'd been stuck in the dark for seven years now.
“I'm… I'm really sorry for causing trouble.” He apologized and turned to leave.
“You had better be sorry!” Vivian yelled, still refusing to calm down.
The detective caught a glimpse of Scarlett and they exchanged glances. He nodded at her and she nodded back before he left. As soon as he walked out of the house, Vivian angrily stormed out, going to her room and ignoring everyone else.
Adrian and Scarlett were alone again. Scarlett wanted to go back upstairs but Adrian was quick enough to stop her with a question.
“The question you asked me earlier, why did you ask it?” He was nervous, he really hoped that Isabella hadn't told her anything. She stared at him with tears almost dropping from her eyes.
“Adrian.. I need you to tell me the truth, I just want to know the truth, please. I want to know if you own the gallery and if you are really a wealthy man pretending to be poor. Why did you come to my family? I just want the truth!” She demanded, fighting back her tears and hoping that none of it was true.
It dawned on Adrian that Isabella had told Scarlett everything. Lying to her would be pointless. He had been looking for a way to tell her the truth, maybe this was his chance.
“Alright.” He sighed, his heart racing. His restlessness could be detected in his shaky voice and the sweat that was running down his face.
“I'll tell you everything.”
She came closer to him, staring at him in anticipation.
“Everything Isabella told you… is the truth.”
Scarlett's eyes widened, her lips quivering.
“W—why?” She mouthed.
“I had to pretend to be a low-life bartender to get revenge, Scarlett. I did it to avenge my mother's untimely death. My mother suffered till her last breath and it's all because of your mother.”
Scarlett continued to watch him, shock written all over her face.
“Your mother frustrated the life out of my poor mother by taking away my father's attention. My father was so obsessed with your mother and the good sex he claimed to receive from her that he neglected his own family and caused my mother's death. My father became a monster to his own family and I just wanted to teach your family a lesson for taking away my childhood and my mother.” He paused, tears coming to his eyes as the terrible memories taunted him.
Scarlett staggered backward, finding it hard to swallow what she was hearing.
“My mother and I suffered for years because of your mother… I only wanted to avenge the pain we went through.” He shook his head.
“But Scarlett, I…”
“Everything was a lie?” She whimpered.
“No..” Before he could finish his statement, Scarlett slumped right in front of him and his eyes widened.
“Scarlett!!”