He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 538

Julian listened, entirely captivated. "Keep going..."

Scarlett smiled through her tears. "When my mom first started working at the nightclub, she was just selling drinks. But the neighbors saw her heavy makeup and started spreading rumors that she was an escort. One of the neighbors was too cowardly to say it to her face, so she cornered me—a little kid—and called me a little whore... I was only nine, but the second I heard that, I swung my heavy backpack straight at her face. We got into a massive fight right there in the street. And I won!"

Scarlett patted her chest, a fierce, almost childlike pride lighting up her eyes, making her look like a scrappy kid who refused to back down.

Julian gave her a genuine thumbs-up:

"You're incredible, Scarlett."

Scarlett smiled softly, "There are so many stories like that, because I've dealt with so much unfairness my whole life. My mom taught me early on: if someone crosses you, fight back. The world is a jungle. The moment you show weakness, people will crush you. The only way to survive is to be stronger than them."

Julian's eyes softened with profound empathy. That survivalist mindset was something he had never been forced to adopt.

Staring out at the streets blurring past the car window, Scarlett continued, her voice quieter now:

"Ever since the year my dad took my brother away, my life was never stable. To survive, I had to fight. I had to win. Even if I got bruised and battered, I had to carve out my own place in the world. And then, I met Yardley. We ended up together by pure chance. Do you know how I felt when I thought he'd walk away, but instead, he asked me to marry him?"

Julian listened in complete silence, giving her the space she needed.

He understood better than anyone. When someone is trapped in a cycle of vengeance and rage, the pain is still festering inside them. It's only when they finally find a safe harbor—someone they trust enough to spill out all the buried heartbreak—that the poison finally begins to leave their system.

His voice was smooth, reassuring, and completely unwavering:

"That's only because you haven't met the right person yet. Trust me, you'll find him soon."

"The right person will give you a solid shoulder to lean on. He'll give you a warm, loving family. They will surround you with care, give you the safety you deserve, and let you finally drop your guard. You'll just get to be a happy, cherished woman. You won't ever have to fight battles on your own again, and you'll never have to wonder if you're loved."

"Scarlett, happiness is waiting for you just ahead. The moment you step past this hurdle, it will be right there."

With those words, Julian suddenly opened the glove compartment, pulled out a small, elegant square box, and held it out to her—