He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 452

Yardley froze in his tracks, feeling completely disoriented.

The dining table, which had been empty and desolate for what felt like an eternity, was now covered with several beautifully plated, mouth-watering dishes.

Not only that, but the main lights were off, leaving only the soft, romantic glow of candles flickering on the table.

In the dim lighting, the woman's silhouette looked incredibly graceful. From the back, she looked exactly like Scarlett.

Am I hallucinating? he thought.

Scarlett was at the hospital with Dawn. How could she possibly be at Orchard Villa cooking him dinner?

But if it wasn't her, who was this woman setting up a candlelit dinner?

Yardley rubbed his eyes.

Just then.

The living room lights flipped on.

Melanie's voice rang out, tinged with a smug, eager-to-please excitement. "Yardley! Surprise! Isn't this unexpected?!"

"Look how domesticated Veronica is! She cooked this entire feast just for you! I knew you've been stressed lately, so I brought her over to keep you company!"

Yardley snapped out of his daze and focused on the woman standing a few feet away.

Veronica Thorne had already placed the last dish on the table. Knowing Yardley was watching her, she deliberately untied her apron right in front of him, revealing a bold, plunging cocktail dress that showed off her long, flawless legs.

She looked up, flashing him a picture-perfect smile, and stepped forward intimately to take his briefcase. "You're home, Yardley!"

"I know you've had a lot on your plate recently. I just wanted to do something nice for you, so I asked Melanie to bring me over!"

"I hope I'm not overstepping?"

Her voice was sickeningly sweet, and her gaze trailed over him with blatant, suggestive hunger.

She wasn't Scarlett. She was merely a cheap imitation.

In fact, she couldn't even compare to a single fingertip of Scarlett's.

For some reason, Veronica's stunning beauty and domestic act didn't stir a single ripple of desire in him. Instead, it triggered a wave of nausea, completely killing whatever appetite he had left.

This cheap attempt at currying favor made him feel like his sanctuary was being tainted.

Scarlett never had to try so hard, yet she had seamlessly woven herself into his soul, becoming an irreplaceable part of his existence.

His immunity to other women had skyrocketed.

Because Scarlett had already shown him the pinnacle of genuine love and intimacy.

After experiencing the ocean, every other river seemed insignificant.

Looking at the glaring rose-petal heart, he felt no romance—only irritation.

He leaned over, scooped up the petals, and prepared to dump them all in the trash.

Suddenly, Veronica's voice echoed from the doorway, tinged with a mix of grievance and urgency.

"I heard about your mother facing criminal charges. I have a way to get them out!"

"Yardley, didn't you agree to try going out with me? Why do I feel like you're completely repulsed by me?"

"Are you... still thinking about Scarlett?"