Disclaimer: Hello! I just would like to say that this story is not about Scarlett suffering, or going in a downward spiral due to Rhett's departure, and Melanie's death. It is more about her opening her eyes to what she does have and making the most out of it. I do not own Gone with the Wind, or any of the characters. I hope you enjoy my story, and review honestly, because the beauty of this program, is that you can make me and everyone else a better writer. Thank you and enjoy.
When Ashley spoke those words to her in that parlor, it was as if her entire life and mistakes laid themselves out in front of her eyes. She finally realized that she did not, and had not ever-loved Ashley, and the only thought that repeated in her mind was Rhett. She finally realized whom she was running after in the mist: Rhett. Her legs then rose, leaving a crying Ashley in the table and somehow, she made her way to her enormous door, and opened it with the strength she did not possess.
She found Rhett in his room looking out the window, and rushed to him.
"Is she dead?" he spoke in his usual indifferent tone; however, this time he was not making an effort to conceal a tone of sadness and genuine curiosity. Scarlett felt a wave of realization hit her when she remembered that Melanie was dead. Despite the fact that Scarlett had lost multiple people in her lifetime, every death hurt her deeply, and Melanie, whom she never imagined to die, had hurt the most. Scarlett nodded quickly, as she was still out of breath, and therefore could not speak.
"That must be nice for you." He said in his careless infuriating tone. Scarlett, having never made an epiphany before, figured that once she decided to change everyone was bound to know. She winced at that comment because she realized all the hard work she had to do to get Rhett to understand she no longer loved Ashley. Rhett was supposed to comfort her. They were supposed to comfort each other. She quickly explained herself and Melanie's last request for her.
"Ah that must be easy for you to have the first wife's permission" He continued to drawl infuriatingly.
"No, you are wrong! Terribly wrong! I don't love him! I've never truly loved him…"
"Well, you certainly made a good impression of it until today" He continued carelessly. Then he started talking, and he kept talking, but all she could hear was his tone, and everything in the room was turning, and she felt stifled and overwhelmed due to everything being thrown at her. He shouldn't be acting this way. He's been acting this excessively. He is acting like a child too.
"Scarlett, I'm leaving you" All her train of thought broke off instantly, and she felt alive and… angry.
"No." She said this loudly and with a confidence that was new. This whole marriage was a misunderstanding, and she wasn't going to let it finish that way either.
"I'm sorry?"
"Rhett, I am not going to let you leave me like this. You and I need to have a proper conversation first. Pride and Honor aside. You think our marriage failed because of Ashley. It was partly so, but only in the beginning. God, Rhett you are more obsessed with him than me! Ever since we were married, you thought you knew everything about me. Did it ever cross your mind that I changed too? Rhett our marriage failed not by Ashley, but because of our misunderstandings. So sit down and let's talk." Her hands were sweaty, and shaking, and at this last sentence her voice quivered, but she dared not stop. Apparently, Rhett was also surprised. Though he saw that Scarlett was shaking, he somehow stayed to listen. He knew she was exhausted too, and he felt the obligation to respect her. He obliged, and sat himself on the tall chair.
"Ashley was everything I loved. I loved his love of books and music not because I gave a damn of any of those things, but because a gentleman loved those things, and especially when the south died, he was my only way to secretly look back. I dared not look back otherwise, Rhett. Did you ever think of that? In addition, I was stubborn, too. Every time something bad happened, everyone always looked to me. I would care for them and no one cared for me. After the war, most of the people I cared for, talked dirt about me behind my back! The only thing I found solace in was dreaming, and my only dream was Ashley. When your presence in my life grew stronger, I didn't need to dream as much. Finally, someone cared for me. Now my only problem was my stubbornness! That is why I kicked you out of the bedroom. Once I did, I regretted it, but I could not take it back! I knew I loved you then. There was a voice in the back of my head that said I couldn't love you because of Ashley. My stubbornness caused contempt for Melanie too. You have to understand that the more I had of you the less I desired of him. When Bonnie was born you grew cold and distant. And I know that was mostly my fault but we could have redeemed ourselves. I needed you to let me know it was okay to ask you to come back. You never did, and every time something happened like "that night" you'd run away! Now you are running away still. When you leave your problems once more this morning, know that I will wake up and go out to the streets, face the Old Guard, face Ashley and India, arrange Melanie's funeral, and tell Ella and Wade what just happened, while coping with Bonnie's death, because I lost her too, you know, my baby's death, Melanie's death, and your departure. I don't deserve it. So as you run away like a coward, know that when you come back, I won't be here waiting. I don't have time for that. Goodbye Rhett. I'll miss our talks at night, and your overwhelming masculinity, and your gentleness, and humor, but I'm exhausted too, and I need to let go."
Rhett was dumbfounded, but he left on the train that very morning, anyways. He was somewhat inspired by Scarlett's speech. He was off to reflect. He needed her. He'd go home, and find some way to change her mind, once he himself had healed off course.