When Pain Becomes Silence Chapter 1

The city shimmered with a private fireworks display on the night Channing Sterling announced his engagement.

I was on my knees, scrubbing floors in a high-end club, clutching the diagnosis in my hand: terminal stomach cancer.

He was there, holding that woman with the innocent eyes, his foot casually pressing down on my hand, crushing my finger bones.

"Scarlett, look closely. *This* is the woman Channing Sterling is going to marry."

"As for you, you only deserve to crawl in the gutter and atone for your sins."

I bit my lip, swallowing the metallic tang that surged in my throat, not uttering a sound.

He didn't know these hands had once dug for him for three days and three nights in the ruins, already ruined beyond repair.

He knew even less that the "murderer" he hated so much had only three months left to live.

If you want me to atone, then I'll give you my life. How about that?

Channing had booked out the entire top-floor VIP lounge to celebrate Serena's return to the country.

The manager found me then.

I was hiding in the changing room, gulping down painkillers.

My stomach was on fire, searing pain making me break out in a cold sweat.

"Scarlett, hurry up! Mr. Sterling specifically asked for you to serve drinks. Don't you dare mess this up for me!"

The manager rushed me, snatching the cleaner's uniform I'd just put on.

He tossed me an incredibly revealing bunny girl outfit.

"Put this on. If Mr. Sterling isn't happy tonight, your brother, clinging to life in the hospital, will be thrown out of his room tomorrow!"

At the mention of Leo, the refusal I'd been about to voice died in my throat.

I looked at my pale, skeletal reflection in the mirror.

I forced a smile, uglier than a cry.

Scarlett, what are you still being dramatic about?

Your dignity was torn to shreds by Channing himself three years ago, on that rainy night.

The moment I pushed open the lounge door, a tidal wave of noise crashed over me.

But my eyes instantly found Channing, seated at the head of the main table.

He wore a black shirt, collar slightly unbuttoned.

He swirled a half-glass of red wine, his gaze cold and lazy.

And nestled in his arms was Serena, in a white dress.

The air in the lounge froze for a moment when I walked in.

Then came the unrestrained jeers of the rich brats.

"Well, well, isn't that New York's former It-girl? How did she fall so far?"

"This is karma! Back then, she almost killed Serena just to climb the ladder. A vicious woman like that deserves it!"

Channing heard them and lazily lifted his eyelids.

His gaze landed on me, devoid of any warmth.

"What are you standing there for? Come over and pour Serena some wine."

I moved stiffly.

Walking to the coffee table, I knelt, picking up the decanter with trembling hands.

A violent spasm gripped my stomach.

My hand shook, and a few drops of red wine splashed onto Serena's pristine white skirt.

"Ah!"

Serena shrieked, shrinking further into Channing's arms.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry…"

I frantically tried to wipe it, but Channing's foot slammed into my chest.

"Get out! Don't touch her with your filthy hands!"

The kick was merciless, holding nothing back.

I flew backward, my spine hitting the hard edge of the table, the pain making my vision black out.

A metallic taste rose in my throat.

I bit my lip hard, terrified that the blood would spill out and stain his sight.

Channing looked down at me, his eyes full of disgust:

"Scarlett, you're truly sickening. You can't even do this little thing right. Were you trying to be deliberate?"

"Trying to get my attention with these cheap tricks? You're not worthy."

I lay on the floor, taking a long time to manage to prop myself up.

Get his attention?

Right, in his mind.

Scarlett was just a conniving bitch who would do anything for money.

Even now, when I was dying.

He would only think I was faking it, putting on a show.

Serena's eyes were red-rimmed, and she tugged at Channing's sleeve, her voice soft and sweet:

"Channing, don't blame Scarlett. She surely didn't do it on purpose… It's just a shame about this dress; it was a special birthday gift from you."

Channing tenderly patted her hand.

When he turned to look at me, his eyes instantly turned sinister.

"Since you've ruined Serena's dress, you'll pay for it yourself."

"Drink these ten bottles of Louis XIII on the table. Finish them, and I'll pretend nothing happened tonight."

"Otherwise, you can crawl out of here."