Chapter 34
Yvonne frowned, her expression shifting as she interrupted him. “Leroy, I know what you’re trying to say, Yvonne began, her tone steady but tinged with concem. “But your mom told me about your recent hospital stay. Was it because of her?
Her gaze softened as she studied him. Leroy looked thinner, more fragile–like someone who’d been carrying a weight far too heavy for too long.
“For your ex–wife? You’d really let yourself fall apart for someone like that?” she asked, her brows furrowed.
Leroy sighed, his hand tightening around his teacup. “Yonne, this is my own issue. And no, it wasn’t because of Scarlett,” he said firmly, though his voice lacked
conviction
Just then, the restaurant door opened, and Yvonne’s eyes dated toward the newcomers. She froze when she saw who it was.
“Leroy, are you sure it’s not because of her?” she asked, raising her voice just enough for the approaching guests to hear.
Scarlett, who hadn’t noticed Leroy sitting in the comer, suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her eyes landed on him, confusion flickering in her gaze.
“Leroy?” she murmured, her expression puzzled. How was it that no matter where she went, he seemed to be there?
Beside her, Cedric leaned in and whispered, “Lettle, we have people waiting for us. Let’s not let this ruin our plans.” Scarlett hesitated but eventually nodded. Suppressing her curiosity, she tollowed Cedric toward their private room.
Back at the table, Yvonne frowned, her tone softening as she spole, “Leroy, I just don’t think it’s worth it. You’ve given so much, and look at what it’s done to you.
Scarlett. He remembered the last
Leroy didn’t respond. His eyes were fixed on his teacup, but his thoughts were elsewhere—caught up in a swirl of memories with Scarlett. time they’d come to this restaurant together. Back then, her laugh had been genuine, bet sintle warm. “Leroy?” Yvonne’s voice brought him back to the present. He looked up at her, his gaze distant.
In the private room, Scarlett ended her phone call with a sigh.
“This is turning into a mess,” she said, clearly irritated. “The lunch meeting is canceled.”
Cedric frowned, his frustration evident. “Who cancels last minute like that? This feels intentional, just to mess with us,” he muttered.
Scarlett shook her head, sighing again. “Let’s just leave. There’s no point in staying ” she said.
But Cedric wasn’t ready to go. An idea struck him, and his lips curled into a sly grin. “Lettie, since we’re already here, why don’t we check out the dining area? 1 think I saw Leroy earlier. He was with that woman from before, wasn’t he?
At the mention of Leroy, Scadett’s steps faltered, but she quickly recovered. Without a word, she followed Cedric out of the room.
Leroy and Yvonne had started reminiscing about childhood memories, their laughter easing the earlier tension. For a moment, the mood felt light, almost natural.
But the sound of approaching footsteps shattered the calm, Scarlett and Cedric appeared by their table, their presence heavy with unspoken tension
“DLOlson, what a surprise,” Cedric said with a smirk, his tone dripping with mockery. “Fancy seeing you here. Is this a date?
Yvotuie, however, responded with a smile, “Scarlett, how nice to see you. Yes, Leroy and 1 are having lunch. Would you care to join us?”
Her words carried a deliberate cheerfulness, but there was a subtle edge to her tone,
Scarlet’s eyes flickord between Leroy and Yvonne, her expression unreadable. “Dr. Olson,” she said, her voice cool
“I seem like you and Ms. Middleton have gottenclose. Why didn’t you mention this before? I might’ve even given you my blessing.”
There was something biting in her tone, and the memory of Leroy and Yvonne’s laughter just moments ago added an inexplicable discomfort to her words.
