He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 226

Scarlett's eyes grew red.

"Mom, but taking care of a baby at night is exhausting. Even with Zara here, when Dawn cries, you'll still wake up. And I'd worry if I just left her entirely with Zara. Let me do it."

Jacqueline shook her head. "Nonsense. I have far more experience raising babies than you do. I raised you and your brother single-handedly. You just focus on the career you love. Give it everything you have, and make something of yourself."

Scarlett instantly felt a surge of confidence. The massive logistical hurdle that had been weighing on her mind was suddenly resolved.

A parent truly is a child's greatest safety net.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she nodded and threw her arms around Jacqueline.

"Mom, we haven't been this in sync in years."

Jacqueline stiffened slightly. She wasn't entirely used to hugging her grown daughter, but her hand instinctively came up to pat Scarlett's back. Her eyes glistened with tears.

"Forgive me, sweetheart. I spent all those years running as fast as I could, and I neglected you. I demanded you be independent. I had too much on my plate, a short temper, and took my stress out on you over every little thing... But it's all fine now. Once your brother comes home, after all these years, the storm will finally pass."

Scarlett nodded, her voice choking up.

"Yeah. Everything is going to be okay. Actually, Julian Croft told me about a global competition in architecture... The 5th 'Pillar of Eternity' Award. It's basically the Nobel Prize of the architectural world."

"They just announced the new theme, and it fits exactly where I am in life right now. It's called 'Rebirth from the Ruins.' I actually have a set of drafts that perfectly match the theme. Julian said if I want to enter, he'll help me refine them and submit them. He thinks I have a real shot."

Jacqueline frowned slightly.

"Julian Croft? That genius architect you were talking about?"

"Yeah, exactly."

A distant, nostalgic look crossed Jacqueline's eyes.

"That Croft boy... before everything went wrong with our family, he used to come over all the time."

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