Chapter 16 ( Virginia's POV ) " What did you find ? " " Ms Blair , your boyfriend visited a bakery recently opened on Main Street . Sunrise Bakes . It's quite popular these days . " Jasper , visiting a bakery ? When did he start taking interest in such places ? No , if Jasper visited that place , then there has to be something more to it . I cut off the line , and send the private detective a huffy sum , before scrolling through social media to find more information about this bakery . I want to know when it opened , who owns it , and why Jasper visited that place out of all the bakeries in the city . After all , how can a new bakery compare to the branded ones of our upper class society ? As I scroll through the images of the bakery , my thumb freezes over the screen . There , in the background of one photo , is a woman in a maroon hijab and dress . She's wearing a flour - dusted apron and has her back turned to the camera , but I'd know that figure , I would recognize that silhouette anywhere . Scarlett . My heart hammers against my ribs as I scroll through more photos . In another shot , she's visible from the side , smiling as she hands a customer a paper bag . Still beautiful . Still radiant . Still everything I hate about her . The caption reads : " Sunrise Bakery - owner Scarlett creates magic with simple ingredients . A must - visit ! " She's back . She's actually back in the city . For four years , I've had everything I ever wanted . The Stone family fortune , their unconditional love , and Jasper completely to myself . Though I don't have his heart , I'm the only woman by his side . I've been living the life that should have been mine from birth . But now she's here , and threatening to steal everything away from me again . No , I won't allow it ! Not this time . 1/5 : < Chapter 16 More Rewards > I grab my purse and keys , my hands shaking with rage and panic . This can't happen . I won't let her waltz back into town and destroy everything I've built . The drive to main street passes in a blur . My mind races with memories of four years ago - how easily she'd walked away from the life I'd fought so hard to claim . How she owned everything that should've rightfully belonged to me . Her family , her husband . They should've all been mine right from the start . But because of her , I lived 21 years of my life like an orphan , longing for the love of the man that should've been mine . And she wants to take them away from me again ? I won't allow it . Sunrise Bakes sits on a charming corner , its warm lighting and rustic wooden sign giving it an annoyingly cozy appearance . Through the large windows , I see customers sitting at small tables , looking perfectly content with their treats , their perfect little lives . The bell chimes as I push through the door . The smell of fresh bread and coffee hits me , along with something else - success . This place is thriving , which makes my stomach churn with resentment . The moment I enter , Scarlett emerges from behind the counter , and for a second , neither of us moves . Four years have changed her . She's thinner than before , but there's a maturity , and strength in her posture that wasn't there before . Her smile is radiant , kind eyes softening her features in gentle layers . She looks ... confident . It sickens me . " Virginia . What are you doing here ? " " I could ask you the same thing . " I step to the counter , my heels clicking against the polished marble floor . " What are you doing back in Avalon , Scarlett ? " She doesn't flinch . Doesn't look away . The old Scarlett would have scowled , or cowered back by now . But this new Scarlett .... unease makes my heart restless . I have to get her out of the city . Jasper can't find her . No matter the cost , I can't allow them to meet . " What is it to you ? " she smiles , and I can't help feeling the mockery in her eyes . " Do I need to report to you when I leave or return to my own city ? " 2/5 < Chapter 16 More Rewards > " After the way you vanished like a theft , I never thought you'd return . After all , Mama and Baba are still upset with you . " Her smile falters , and that brightens my mood . I gleefully ask , " did you tell them you're back ? " knowing just how much it pained her to mention them . " If you're not here to buy anything , you should leave . " The dismissal in her tone ignites something violent in my chest . How dare she speak to me like that ? How dare she act like she has the right to dismiss me ? " You have some nerve , " I sneer , moving closer . " Disappearing for four years without a word , abandoning everyone who cared about you , and now you just ... what ? Expect to slip back into the picture like nothing happened ? " " I don't expect . " Her eyes flash . " Especially not from the people you think . " " Good . It better be that way . I'll give you two days to pack up your stuff and disappear . If you don't ... " " You'll do what ? Chase me away ? " I wish I could . But I don't own Avalon . Even with the support of the Stones and Jasper , I can't drive Scarlett away without alerting them . And if Jasper finds out Scarlett is back in town ... just recalling our last conversation makes my blood boil . " Jasper has been looking for you . He spent thousands of dollars flying to different cities , hiring private detectives , checking hospital records , all in the hopes of finding his child . Tell me . If he finds out you're back in town , what do you think he'll do ? " Something flickers across her face - panic , maybe , or fear . But it's gone so quickly I might have imagined it . " He can do his worst . But he won't get anywhere near my child , " she says coldly . " Oh ? So confident ? Why ? Did you find a new man ? " That would be for the best . After all , a pregnant woman can only get so far on her own . But based on the set - up of this bakery , this isn't something a broke woman can afford on her own . Definitely not in the most expensive district of the city . So there has to be a man . And if there's a man ... Oh , that'll make things so much easier . " I want you to leave my bakery . " The calm authority in her voice doesn't bother me this time . Ignoring her words , I lean against the counter , sweeping my gaze around the shop , heart pounding with excitement . The more I 3/5 < Chapter 16 see , the more I become convinced there's a man . More Rewards > " So , where did you get the funds to start this bakery ? " I probe . It'll be great if I can get a lead . Finding that man and informing Jasper of his existence would be so much easier . Her jaw tightens . " It's none of your business . " I take another step closer , close enough to see the flecks of gold in her brown eyes . " How can you say , Scar ? After all , even if we never got along , we are , technically sisters , aren't we ? And now that I'm Mrs. Blake , I feel obliged to do something to make up to you somehow . If it weren't for me , you and Jasper ... " It's a lie , but the way her face goes pale tells me the lie hit the mark . " Congratulations ," she says evenly . " I hope you'll be happy together . " " We will be . We are . He's finally with the person he's always loved , who understands him , who doesn't make him feel conflicted in following his heart or doing his duties as a husband . " " Is that what you call it ? " She tilts her head , studying me like I'm some fascinating specimen . " Conflict ? " " What would you call it ? " " Manipulation ." The word hits me like a slap . Before I can think , before I can control myself , my hand moves , rushing toward her face . But before the slap connects , someone catches my wrist . " I wouldn't do that if I were you . " I turn my head to find a tall man in an expensive suit standing behind me . He's handsome in that understated way that screams old money - sharp jawline , steel gray eyes , perfectly styled dark hair . His grip on my wrist is steady and firm , but not painful . My heart skips a beat , but then I see his gaze shift to Scarlett , and a lightbulb goes off in my head Is he the one ? Jasper's rival ? I can't help snickering , suddenly looking forward to seeing Jasper's expression when he finds out his ex - wife has a new lover . 4/5