He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 269

Through the heavy doors, her baby's cries acted like a jagged blade, slicing relentlessly at Scarlett's heart.

It took every ounce of her willpower not to violently push past the guards and run to her child. But Yardley stood in her way, a cold, immovable wall severing her from Dawn.

"Have you decided?" his voice was void of any emotion. "Are you coming inside to play your part, or are you leaving?"

Scarlett clenched her fists so hard her fingernails bit into her palms, the sharp pain grounding her. She squeezed her eyes shut, drawing in a long, shaky breath.

She was Scarlett Langley. She possessed a pride that would rather see her shatter into a thousand pieces than bow down.

Did he honestly expect her to lower her head and play the role of the devoted, happy mother in front of the very people who had ruthlessly abused her and stolen her child?

Never.

She remembered Eleanor's kindness, yes. But that kindness wasn't going to be used as a leash to control her.

Tonight, Yardley had ripped off his mask of repentance. He wanted a war, and he was using Dawn as his shield. If she tried to force her way in, things would escalate into a bloodbath. She didn't care about the consequences for herself, but she couldn't risk the crossfire traumatizing or harming her baby.

She would never let anything hurt Dawn.

"I am never setting foot in your house again, Yardley."

Her eyes snapped open, her voice as lethal as liquid nitrogen.

A flicker of disappointment flashed across Yardley's eyes, quickly swallowed by a smug sense of validation. He had expected this. The corner of his mouth twitched upward, projecting an aura of absolute control.

"Then go home. Dawn stays with me tonight."

"Don't worry," he added, noting her murderous glare. "I have experience handling her now. I won't be as careless as last time. She won't be hurt."

"Don't worry. I promise I'll take good care of her. And my offer still stands. Whenever you're ready to come back and put on a smile for my grandmother, the door is open."

The momentary glint of triumph in his eyes felt like a needle plunging into Scarlett's eye. She swallowed the violent urge to strike him.

"Fine, Yardley. Just you wait."

Throwing down the warning, she turned on her heel and walked away without a second glance. When one door slammed shut, you didn't break your skull trying to smash it open—you stepped back and found a window.

She would get her daughter back. If Yardley wanted to play dirty, she'd show him exactly what dirty looked like.

A new plan was rapidly assembling in her mind, though her face remained an unreadable mask of cold fury.

Yardley stood in the doorway, watching Scarlett and her formidable entourage fade into the night. Once they were completely out of sight, he exhaled sharply and raised a hand to wipe the cold sweat from his brow.