He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 865

He glared coldly at Yardley and laid it out firmly:

"Out of the question. Your family has been given far too many chances. This was the last one."

"Stop cornering her, Yardley. For the past few days, she's been counting her blessings that she didn't actually die. Because if she had, she can't even stomach the thought of the living hell her mother and Dawn would have been put through."

The moment Julian finished speaking, Yardley's expression hardened. He snapped back,

"Julian, this is between Scarlett and me. You have no right to interfere."

Julian wasn't angered by the outburst. Instead, he looked at Scarlett, his eyes filled with calm confidence.

"Scarlett, why don't you tell him? Do I have the right?"

Scarlett looked at Yardley, pausing for a few seconds in total silence.

Assuming she simply didn't want to engage, Yardley couldn't help but scoff.

"Her silence says everything—"

"I'm not being silent," Scarlett cut him off sharply. "I was just trying to think of the most appropriate way to announce our good news."

Yardley stiffened, staring at her in disbelief.

"What... what good news?"

Scarlett shifted her gaze to Julian. Their eyes met, sharing a flawless, silent understanding.

They both turned back to Yardley and spoke in absolute unison, their tone unwavering:

"We're getting married."

Those words hit Yardley with the force of a wrecking ball, easily rivaling the shock of seeing them walk into the memorial alive.

His pupils contracted violently as his rigid body instinctively stumbled backward.

She lifted her chin slightly, meeting his bloodshot eyes with complete serenity.

"The blind favoritism you have for your family is etched into your bones. No matter how atrocious their actions are, you always find an excuse for them. In the six years we were together, did you ever give me that kind of unwavering backup? Even once?"

"No."

She answered her own question, a relieved smile touching her lips as she turned to look at the man beside her.

"But Julian gave me that."

"Even when I didn't take a single step toward him, he always found a way to quietly protect me, to stand by me, on my own terms."

"With him, I don't have to walk on eggshells. I don't have to compromise my dignity. I don't have to constantly watch my back to avoid being stabbed by the people who are supposed to be my family..."

She paused, her voice steady and resolute.

"So, choosing him isn't an impulse, and it's certainly not to get back at you. It's just me finally seeing clearly who actually deserves the rest of my life."