Scarlett and Julian pulled up to the Croft family estate with their marriage licenses in hand.
Inside, Elara Chapman, Dominic Croft, Jacqueline Langley, and Madeleine Dawson had been waiting on pins and needles.
The moment the SUV shifted into park and they stepped out, the celebration erupted.
Confetti cannons blasted into the air. A plush red carpet had been rolled out all the way from the driveway to the front doors, and the estate was lavishly decorated with festive ribbons and floral arrangements. The sheer scale of the celebration rivaled a full-blown wedding reception.
Looking at the smiling, familiar faces crowding the entrance, Scarlett felt a lump form in her throat. She couldn't help but remember the day she married Yardley—the cold, hostile, humiliating reception she had received at the Flynn Estate.
Her eyes welled with tears.
"Well? Did it go smoothly? Everything okay?" Elara rushed forward, grabbing Scarlett's hands in excitement.
Scarlett held up the license, nodding. "Yes. Everything went perfectly."
Elara's face lit up. She snatched the booklet, opening it up to show off their photo to the crowd.
"Did everyone see that?! My son is officially a married man!"
"Mom, look! You don't have to worry about your grandson dying alone anymore! He finally locked her down!" Elara beamed like a kid on Christmas, rushing over to hand the license to Madeleine.
Madeleine was wearing a thin silver-grey cardigan. Her hair was completely white, and she had lost a concerning amount of weight. The illness had clearly taken a toll; the sharp, vibrant energy she used to carry had faded into a fragile exhaustion.
Scarlett's heart ached. She hurried over and gently took Madeleine's hands. "Professor Dawson... how are you feeling?"
Madeleine looked up at her, a warm, relieved smile spreading across her face. She reached out to gently tuck a stray hair behind Scarlett's ear.
"Seeing the two of you officially become husband and wife... my heart can finally rest."

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Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: He Lost Me to His Best Friend
Why can't these people leave Scarlett alone, damn!...
Really enjoying this novel. 😀...