Chapter 27

“Victor, are you here to bring Lettie lunch?” Cedric’s voice cut through the air as his eyes landed on the container in Victor’s hands. A sly smile flickered across his face. Victor nodded but didn’t have a chance to explain before Cedric snatched the container from his hands.

“I’ll take it to her. You can leave now,” Cedric said briskly, turning and heading straight into Scarlett’s office.

Victor hesitated but eventually shook his head and walked away. Considering how much Scarlett favored Cedric, it wasn’t his place to interfere.

“Lettie, I brought you lunch. You’ve been working so hard,” Cedric said warmly as he approached her desk, his voice enthusiastic.

At first, Scarlett barely glanced at him. She assumed it was just another takeout meal, the kind she’d been eating for days. But the moment the aroma from the container hit her, she froze. The familiar scent awakened her taste buds instantly. Scarlett’s eyes widened when Cedric opened the container, revealing the dishes inside. She recognized the food immediately.

“Did you make this yourself?” she asked, taking a sip of the soup. The taste transported her back to the days when Leroy used to cook for her.

Cedric hesitated, a flicker of panic crossing his face. After a brief pause, he nodded. “Of course! I made it just for you,” he said with a smile.

“I couldn’t stand seeing you eating takeout every day, so I decided to give it a try. It’s my first time cooking, so if it’s not perfect, let me know.” He laughed softly, his eyes brimming with affection.

Scarlett’s hand paused mid-sip. She didn’t believe him for a second. Someone who was new to cooking couldn’t possibly prepare such a flawless medicinal meal. But she chose not to call him out, instead savoring the rare moment of warmth and delicious food.

At a cafe nearby, Lenny sat at a small table, absentmindedly stirring his coffee. His gaze was distant, lost in thought.

“Dr. Olson, are you still upset about the divorce?” Grace asked tentatively, breaking the silence.

Leroy snapped back to reality and quickly shook his head. “No. It was just a contract marriage. I wasn’t emotionally invested,” he replied, his tone even.

But deep down, he felt drained. He kept reminding himself that Scarlett had never cared about him, that their marriage had always been an arrangement. Grace’s eyes lit up at his response. She saw her chance.

“Dr. Olson, there’s another reason I asked you out for coffee today,” she began with a slight smile, “You’re single now, and it’s clear there wasn’t much between you and Scarlett to begin with. So I’d like to pursue you.”

Her straightforward confession caught Leroy off guard. His hand froze mid-stir, and his gaze shifted to hers, startled.

“Ms. Farmer, we’re not a good match,” he said after a moment, his tone polite but firm. “But thank you for thinking of me that way.”

He felt trapped, wondering how a casual coffee meeting had turned into this.

Grace, however, didn’t seem discouraged. If anything, she looked prepared for his reaction.

“Don’t decide so quickly,” she said with a smile. “I’ve liked you for a long time, and I’m serious about this. We can take our time if you think we’re moving too fast.”

Her sincerity made Leroy tighten his grip on his coffee cup.

“Ms. Farmer, I have to get back to the hospital. But I appreciate your feelings,” he said, standing up abruptly.

“I’m not ready for another relationship. Also, please encourage Scarlett to take better care of herself and eat properly. We don’t need any more unnecessary drama at the hospital.”

Before Grace could respond, Leroy walked away quickly, almost as if he were fleeing the scene.

Grace clenched her fists briefly but let them go, her expression calm. As expected, Leroy had rejected her. But she wasn’t ready to give up.

She glanced at his abandoned coffee, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

On his way back to the hospital, Leroy rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. As if the blind dates weren’t exhausting enough, Grace had stepped in too. And Grace wasn’t just anyone—she was Scarlett’s best friend. What was she playing at?