Chapter 36 — Scarlett's POV
We finally arrived in Seaside, Florida. Was I happy? Kind of. I was still carrying a mountain of pain and rage in my chest, but for now, I was letting the ocean breeze try to untangle it.
Behind me, chaos was already brewing.
"I want the sea view room!" Julia argued, dragging her suitcase toward the door.
Jason blocked her with his arm. "Are you serious? I invited you! That room is for me and Scarlett."
Julia huffed, "Excuse me? No. It's for me and Scarlett. You can go sleep in the other room"
I laughed. They were acting like two kids on their first vacation. "Stop fighting over the room," I said, amused. "Let's eat. I'm starving to death !."
" burger!" Julia said immediately.
"No ,Hot dog," Jason offered with a shrug.
"Absolutely not," I shook my head with mock horror. "Pizza. End of discussion."
Julia grinned. "Alright. Everyone picks their own food. Restaurant it is."
I wore a short black dress with white floral prints fluttering around my knees. Julia paired pale denim shorts with a cropped pink top, her light brown short hair catching the sunlight. Jason, ever the effortless model, wore long blue shorts and a white button-up shirt left open over his sculpted abs like he was straight out of a photoshoot.
We walked together toward a seaside restaurant, passing palm trees and little shops humming with life. It felt unreal, this peace—like stepping into someone else's life.
"So… your dad," Julia said softly. "Is he at least doing a bit better now?"
Jason looked down, guilt written across his face. Of course. Liam was his friend.
I swallowed. "Let's just say… it's a miracle he survived. But he can't walk anymore."
Julia touched my arm gently. "We'll make Liam pay for it. One way or another."
Jason nodded. "I promise you, babe. I'm with you."
At the restaurant, we each ordered something different. The mood was light, a sharp contrast to the shadows we'd left behind.
Jason leaned over to Julia. "So… no boyfriend, huh?"
She gave him a death stare. "Oh, please. Mister 'I invited you' and 'I have a drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend' wants to know about my love life?"
I grinned. "She's been single since birth."
Julia gasped. "Scarlett! Are you serious right now?!"
Jason and I burst into laughter as she pouted, then joined in a second later.
I leaned in with a teasing smile. "Hey, maybe on this trip… you'll meet someone. Maybe your soulmate is sitting right next to us." I wiggled my brows.
Julia rolled her eyes. "Right. He'll just fall from the sky into my lap, huh , funny scarlett this would never happen ?"
Jason smirked. "If that happens, I want a photo."
For the first time in a while, we laughed. Not out of spite, not through pain—but just because it felt good.
And maybe… just for these five days… I could breathe again.