When Scarlett pulled Kurt into the side area, right off the dining room and went to rip into him for acting like a jealous idiot, she was unprepared for this topic. She didn’t reply right away, couldn’t think of how to respond. Every part of her was numb. He knew.

“Lettie,” Kurt said again, his lip trembling and tears bubbling into his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me? I got a call from your doctor here in L.A. He tells me your results are in, and they’re not good?” He blinked and then swore. “Why didn’t you tell me you had cancer?”

Cringing, she turned away from him. “I can’t believe they called you.”

“Scarlett?” He moved into her line of vision. “Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was shaky.

She smothered the twinge of guilt she felt upon realizing he cared. “Because you’re not my boyfriend anymore.”

He glared at her. “That’s not fair.”

“It’s exactly fair. You lost all rights when you got together with my best friend!” She was yelling and pointing at him, like a drain faucet had been turned on and the rage was all rushing out at once. “You cheated on me! You lied to me! You and my best friend!”

Lamely, Kurt wiped at a tear running down his face. “I know. I know. I messed up. I’m sorry, Lettie. I’m so sorry. And I’ve known I messed up. I knew it. The moment I saw you the other night, I just wanted to …” He closed his eyes, rubbing a hand over his face. “I just wanted to kick something because I haven’t been able to get my mind off of you. I’ve pushed all those feelings away because I messed up so bad. I haven’t wanted to hurt Marissa, and …”

Tears ran down her cheeks, and she brushed them away angrily. “No! No! You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to act like I should feel bad for you. You were everything to me. I loved you since we were children and …” She thought of how hollow she’d felt for so long. Truly, until the past few days, it was like she’d been living her life in a silent, muted movie. One of those old ones with Charlie Chaplin. Being with Walker had changed everything. She could hear and laugh and joke and not think of all the awful things in her life. Not obsess about the cancer. Not feel sorry for herself. She’d been flying on the Ferris wheel with Walker. Now, she was reminded of all the bad.

Kurt took her hand. She tried to yank it back, but he held on. “Scarlett, I messed up, but I want to quit messing up. I still love you.” He blinked. “I’ve always loved you. I just screwed up. Big time.”

Scarlett thought of all the nights she’d longed to hear him call and say this to her. All the times she’d wished for this. “I can’t do this.” Something let loose inside her chest, like a chain had been broken. “I don’t love you anymore, Kurt.”

Before she knew what was happening, he crossed the distance between them and kissed her. She resisted, but one hand went around her waist and one on the back of her head, pulling her into him. She remembered all the times they’d kissed before. She remembered their first kiss. Remembered being in love with him since she was little. Remembered how she’d thought she would marry him.

With both of her hands, she shoved at his chest, and he let go. “How dare you?” she snarled, gulping in air.

He pointed at her. “You still have feelings for me. You can’t deny it!”

His accusation was the last straw. In a moment of clarity, she felt as if she were playing a part, and the next logical thing her character would do was slap him. So that’s what she did, hard and fast across the face.

Kurt’s hand covered his cheek. “You know you love me too!”

“Scarlett?”

Pulling back, she saw the stunned look on Walker’s face. Pain ripped through her, and she stumbled.

Kurt moved to grab her. “Scarlett, are you okay?”

Walker was faster, sweeping her up before she could hit the ground. “Get your hands off of her.”

Kurt let her go into Walker’s arms, and Scarlett felt a bit woozy.

Grant’s face loomed up over her. “Whoa, what’s going on?”

She smiled at him. “You’re here?”

Grant put his hand on her forearm. “Are you okay?”

But they didn’t have time for chatter. Brent, Charlene, Tami, Victor, her father, and Liz all filed into the room. “What’s going on?” her father demanded.

Scarlett summoned all of her strength and righted herself. “Nothing.

Her father hesitated, evaluating her. “No, something is wrong with you.”

“She has cancer,” Kurt said. “She’s been hiding it.”

Scarlett scowled at him, feeling childish. “You were always a tattletale,” she said scornfully.

“What?” Her father paled and then put his hand on his stomach. “Is this true?”

Brent stepped forward. “Scar?” he asked, going to her. Walker let Brent close, and Brent put a hand on her shoulder.

The rest of them started asking questions and pressing in on her, until Walker put his arm out. “Now just back up. Back up, everybody!” he ordered. “Give her some space.”

But they all kept fighting, and her father stomped his foot in the mess of it. “I want answers!”

Charlene went to Tyrone’s side, gently put a hand on his arm. “Tyrone, calm down. Let her talk.”

Liz reared on Charlene. “Get your hands off him!” She looked like she wanted to fight.

“Don’t talk to her that way!” Brent thundered at Liz.

Chaos ensued again, with Walker trying to pull Scarlett close to him.

The surprising thing was when Marissa walked into the room and clapped her hands together, staring at Scarlett. Tears were in her eyes, making Scarlett wonder how much she’d seen or heard from Kurt’s little confession. “That’s not the real news, though, is it, Scar?”

Kurt moved toward Marissa. “What are you doing?” he said in an angry tone. He tried to put his hand out to her, and she yanked it back.

Marissa turned to face the group, and she wiped her hand over her tear-streaked face. “The real news is that this whole thing with Walker is fake.”

There was stunned silence. The whole room seemed to sigh, and her father’s glare hit her the hardest. Liz looked like she’d known it the whole time. She crossed her arms and let out a laugh.

Brent looked between her and Walker, crestfallen. “Is this true? Was your engagement fake?”

Marissa turned accusingly to her. “Yeah. She said she didn’t want to steal the wedding, and now she’s stolen the whole show.”

“Hey, that’s not fair,” Kurt retorted.

Marissa jabbed her finger at him. Her voice was controlled, but tears streamed down her cheeks. “Don’t talk to me. I thought we had something. You said she was the one you were filling time with all these years, and I was the real one.” She let out a bitter laugh. “I guess it wasn’t true.” She rushed out of the room, pushing through people to get to the door.

There was a moment of silence, until Scarlett’s father let out a loud laugh. Startled, she turned to him. It sounded off.

He clapped his hands loudly. “This is the greatest scene I have ever witnessed—my daughter having cancer, then lying to us all, fooling us all. You can’t write better stuff.” He moved to her. “All these years, I didn’t think you could really pull off any role. I guess the sick girl and the love triangle is one you got covered.”