He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 266

"As long as the child is healthy, smart, and precious, what does it matter if she's a girl?!" Eleanor scolded fiercely. "Yardley, do not listen to a word your mother says. A daughter is a treasure!"

Corinne pouted, though her eyes betrayed her as they flicked back to the baby in Yardley's arms. "You say that now, Mom. But back when I gave birth to three girls in a row, you certainly didn't sing that tune—"

Eleanor shot her a withering glare and scoffed. "Even if I was disappointed, I never made it as blatantly obvious as you do! Let me ask you this: Did you plan a baby shower for her? Did you arrange a welcome reception? When you had your four children, I made sure every single milestone was celebrated flawlessly!"

"It's no wonder my granddaughter-in-law refuses to come home. If you ask me, this is all your doing!"

Though Eleanor suffered from mild dementia and drifted in and out of lucidity, she had decades of life experience. Clearly, she saw through the family dynamics with sharp precision.

Hearing his grandmother's words, Yardley felt a pang in his chest. Over the last five years, Scarlett had been ostracized by everyone in this house—except Eleanor. She was the only one Scarlett had ever shared a genuine connection with.

He was just beginning to harbor a sliver of hope that Eleanor could help bridge the gap, when a violent, frantic pounding echoed from the front gates.

***

Scarlett had called Yardley three times. He hadn't picked up.

She knew him too well. His phone was glued to him 24/7. If it was on, he heard it. The only explanation was that he was deliberately ignoring her.

A raging inferno burned in her chest, accompanied by a crushing wave of disappointment. Every single time, this bastard claimed he wanted to fix things. He claimed he knew he was wrong and swore he'd change. Yet, it was all empty talk.

The moment a crisis hit, his default setting was pure selfishness. He only ever thought about what he wanted.

He was betting that she wouldn't figure out he had Dawn so quickly. He was using this opportunity to monopolize the baby, forcing a family reunion so his grandmother and father could get a look at her.

Scarlett was losing her mind. She pounded on the heavy wrought-iron gates of the estate, but they remained firmly shut.

She turned to Stellan, her voice dropping to a dangerous, trembling whisper. "If they won't open it, ram it down. Keep hitting it until it breaks."

"Stellan, no matter what happens tonight, we are bringing Dawn home safe. Do you understand?"

Stellan lowered his gaze, his voice a steady rumble. "Understood."

He gave a sharp hand signal. His men immediately surged forward. Moving in perfect sync, the elite security operatives threw their considerable weight against the estate's reinforced doors, using their bodies as a battering ram.

After seven or eight thunderous impacts, the sound of heavy deadbolts finally sliding open echoed from within.