He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 274

"Bill, I'm so glad you've become this powerful. If you hadn't... Mom and I really wouldn't know how much more of this we could take."

That simple sentence struck a chord, instantly bringing tears to all three of them.

On the screen, Bill's dark brows furrowed. He stared intently at his haggard sister and mother, his voice dropping an octave.

"Every single day since I left, I've been running as fast as I can. Everything I've built, I built so I could be the ultimate shield for you and Mom. I've got you. Scarlett, if anyone dares to make you suffer even a little bit, I will make them pay it back a hundred times over."

Scarlett nodded firmly, her voice nasal. "I know, Bill. Take care of yourself over there. We're waiting for the day you can finally come home."

Jacqueline choked back a sob, waving at the screen. "Take care of your health, sweetheart. I think about you every day."

"I will," Bill promised softly, before ending the call.

Scarlett put her phone away. When she looked back at her mother, the vulnerability was completely gone from her eyes, replaced by an icy, lethal resolve.

"Mom, I'm heading to the Flynn Estate right now. If Yardley hands Dawn over, then for her sake, I'll ask Bill to hold off. But if he refuses... if he dares use my daughter as a bargaining chip... I won't show him an ounce of mercy. I will show him exactly what happens when you cross the line."

After forcing down a few bites of breakfast, Scarlett walked out the door.

To her surprise, a familiar black Cullinan was parked right in her driveway, and several familiar faces were standing by the hood.

Chatwin, ever the sharpest of the group, cut straight to the point. "The most difficult part is that he's dead set on keeping Dawn. Legally and practically, as the biological father, he has custody and visitation rights. Scarlett can't just forcefully take her. He technically has the upper hand right now."

Scarlett hadn't slept all night. Dark, heavy circles shadowed her eyes. She wore no makeup, and it looked as though she had aged years in a single night.

Seeing her look so utterly exhausted made Julian's heart ache uncontrollably.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped closer and gently pulled Scarlett slightly aside, out of earshot of the others.

"Scarlett, listen to me," Julian said, his voice low, earnest, and burning with quiet intensity. "I know you're fiercely independent. I know you hate asking for help. But this is different. This is about Dawn's safety. If playing by the rules isn't working, let me handle it."