*Noah's POV*
The silence stretches between us like a chasm. Scarlett's revelation about losing her parents has shattered my perception of her completely. This isn't the story I expected to hear.
I lean forward, my voice gentle. "What happened after that? After your mother died?"
Scarlett's jaw tightens. She looks down at her hands, clasping them together so tightly her knuckles turn white.
"The company was hemorrhaging money. My father had made some risky investments right before he died. The board of directors were circling like vultures, trying to buy out my shares for pennies on the dollar." Her voice drops to almost a whisper. "The house was mortgaged to the hilt. The cars, the art collection, everything had liens against it."
"Jesus."
