Page 13 of Greased

I shake my head, “It wasn't your fault. It's theirs. They saw me as some kind of bargaining chip.”

He shakes his head. I know he disagrees with me but I can’t help but see the otherside. I can see in his eyes just how hard this entire situation has been for him. I refuse to play the victim. Pull the ‘poor me’ card and allow myself to be walked over again and again.

That's not who I am. I refuse to be seen in that light. Be seen as weak.

I am a woman. I am strong.

“What happened after I was taken?” I ask. My voice is still meek but I don’t bother to strengthen it just yet. Allowing myself to grieve a little bit more for that little girl.

My father sighs before rubbing his hands over his face.

“We rushed you to our doctor but we knew it would be too much for him to handle. Your mother knew a doctor back here in Australia, someone that we could trust. An old family friend who she knew would be able to save your life. The doctor was able to stabilise you enough for the flight. It was touch and go but you and your mother landed here safely."

“From the moment I watched the plane taxiing down the runway, I knew neither of you would be returning to us for a long time. I formulated a plan and ran it past your mother. It killed me to do so but the only thing I could see was your body, black and blue, huddled in a corner barely breathing. I had to protect you. It was the only way I could see to protect you.”

He looks down at the ground like he is unable to look at me directly.

“I faked you and your mother’s deaths.”

I nod my head, having come to the same conclusion.

“The entire club was devastated. I was devastated. While I stayed in touch with your mother in regards to your condition, it felt like you had truly died. When you finally woke up and we found out you had lost all of your memories, we thought we had made the right decision in keeping you away. We didn't want to put the burden of this life back on your shoulders. But we also didn't want it to be forever. The end goal was to always bring our families back together when the time was right.”

“And the time is right, now?” I question.

He nods his head, “Yes,” he pauses and chuckles, “well I hope it is.”

“What happens now?” I ask.

“No one except myself and your Mum know that you are actually alive. And now your brother. If it is okay with you, I want to bring you home.”

“Home?” I ask.

“Los Angeles. Or more specifically, Rydell. We are in one of the smaller suburbs outside of the city.”

I look at him curiously as my head spins at the thought of going to LA. A place I have wanted to visit for the longest time. Was it a part of my subconscious that was drawn there? Like a small part of me knew that is where I was from.

All along I thought I was Aussie through and through. Little did I know that I am actually American.

I instantly question my accent.

“Why don’t I have an accent like you and Rhodes?”

My father chuckles, “I think that's one of the things that was lost along with your memories. Your mother said that you had a bit of trouble speaking the first few days after you woke up.”

I nod.

“I don’t really understand it but I think you just adapted to what was around you.”

I nod again, his explanation making sense to me at least.

“What will be expected of me?”

“That is all up to you Scarlett. I would love for you to consider coming back into the fold. Your brother is my current heir but we both discussed what my wants are. I want you to retake your spot again as my heir.”

I sigh having already come to the same realisation that that is what he had probably wanted. I sit for a moment as I think about it.

The idea doesn't turn me off as much as I thought it would. It terrifies me, sure. But the thought of helping women. Doing good in this world even while I still have to lead in sin, doesn't turn me off completely. It feels like the good might outweigh the bad.

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