He frowned slightly, almost offended. “If I’d sold you off, you wouldn’t be standing here in front of me, would you?”
Scarlett’s laugh came out sharp, bitter. “Exactly. If you sold me, I shouldn’t even be alive.”
As the words left her lips, clarity struck. She was only alive by accident. He had sold her expecting she’d never walk back into his sight.
She gave a bitter, broken laugh. “So you never planned on saving me.”
Ryan didn’t answer. His silence was a blade. Finally, he murmured, “Scarlett, you know I despise betrayal more than anything.”
Her lips trembled. Her chest constricted. Betrayal? Who betrayed first? Who broke faith first?
She stared at the man she had once given everything to, once trusted, once adored—now he was a stranger, absurd and cruel.
Scarlett closed her eyes, hugging the rifle tight against her chest. The weapon was useless now, but it was all she had left. Her voice shook as she whispered, “Do you know what Victor’s men did after they caught me?” Her voice rasped with pain. “They pinned me down. One after another…”
The memory hit like acid, her whole body trembling. Back then, she had prayed for him to come. For Ryan to break down the door. For him to save her.