The call went unanswered, leaving Hadley hanging. Worry etched her face as she speculated that Eric was likely caught up in a work-related lunch or meeting.
What were her options? All she could do was wait.
As the minutes ticked away, it was suddenly two-thirty. Only thirty minutes remained until her appointment with Eric.
Her phone buzzed abruptly-it was Eric.
“Hello?” she answered quickly, her voice edged with stress.
“You were trying to get in touch?” Eric’s voice carried a lightness, perhaps from the anticipation of finally resolving their ties. Apologizing for his earlier unavailability, he said, “Got tied up, sorry.” Then he quickly changed the subject. “Are you at the courthouse already? Just wait there, I’m on my way.”
Interrupting him, a rush of guilt in her tone, Hadley exclaimed, “Eric!” Hadley stammered, “I’m really sorry, but I can’t make it today… Can we reschedule for tomorrow? Just one day delay. I promise I’ll be there, on time!”
Eric was silent initially. Then, with a cutting laugh, he let his irritation show. “You’re still playing games, Hadley? How long do you intend to keep this up?”
“It’s not like that…”
His tone became biting, dismissing her explanation. “From day one, my feelings about you haven’t changed, Hadley. Wake up.”
“I truly can’t make it,” Hadley insisted, feeling the futility of the conversation. “Something’s come up. I’m stuck, really stuck, not far from Kingsbridge. It’s a mess here, and it’s not just me caught in it.”
What was she doing in Kingsbridge anyways? It sounded like just another excuse.
“Really? That’s just perfect,” Eric scoffed, disbelieving every word from Hadley. He was unmoved by her predicament. “I’m not interested in where you’re stuck. You’d better be on your way, even if it means crawling here. We’re finalizing this divorce today, no more delays!”
With those harsh words, Eric ended the call.
“Hello?” Hadley’s voice echoed faintly against the disconnect tone.
She stood, phone in hand, grappling with her reality. His message was unmistakable-she had to make it, no matter what. With the roads blocked and no movement in sight, Hadley realized her only option was to set out on foot.
She couldn’t help but let out a rueful laugh. Surely, walking was preferable to crawling.
Resigned, Hadley grabbed her bag and stepped off the bus into the cold embrace of the rain. She raised her hand to shield her face, but it was futile. The relentless rain showed no signs of stopping, and without an umbrella, Hadley was at its mercy.
What else was there to do but walk? Teeth clenched in determination, Hadley pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, hoping it would offer some protection from the rain. Yet, it did little to shield her. The relentless downpour quickly drenched her, the hood clinging to her head like a soaked cloth.
All the while, pain throbbed in her lower abdomen. She placed a hand over it, pushing through the discomfort with fierce resolve.
After a thirty-minute slog, Hadley reached the area of the collapsed overpass, completely wet. The scene was chaotic: police blockades, firefighters amidst debris, and a line of ambulances.
“Stop right there!” a traffic officer called out to her. “This road is closed for clearing operations!”
Understanding the situation, Hadley managed a strained smile and responded, “I understand, but it’s urgent. I promise to keep out of the way and not cause any trouble. I just need to pass through.”
The officer looked her over. “You’re soaked through. Where did you trek from?”
“From Kingsbridge.”
“Really?” His eyebrows climbed his forehead in astonishment. “You walked that whole distance?”
“Yes,” Hadley answered, clasping her hands in earnest. “It’s urgent, officer. My child’s at home alone, and I’m quite worried.”
“What about the father?”
Laughing nervously, her eyelashes fluttered as she responded, “It’s just me. I’m doing it on my own.”
The officer hesitated, then sighed deeply.
“Alright, go through,” he replied, gesturing her forward.
“Thank you so much, officer!”
“Make it quick,” he responded, shifting the barrier to allow her passage before swiftly closing it behind her.
Hadley then checked her phone for directions. It would be a long walk to the courthouse, at least two and a half hours away.
Tightening her jaw, she continued her walk, eyes scanning for a taxi ahead. The prospect of paying for a ride bothered her. Nevertheless, today Hadley was set on ending her marriage to Eric.
Eric was in his car, glancing at his watch repeatedly. The time had already advanced to five o’clock. Hadley was still nowhere in sight!
She had made him wait for two whole hours!
In frustration, Eric spun his phone in his palm before decisively pressing the screen to dial her number.
“Hello.”
“Hadley!” Eric’s voice crackled with exasperation. “Are you messing around?”
“I’m sorry,” Hadley replied. “I’ll be there soon. Just a little longer, okay?”
“Longer?” Eric let out a derisive laugh. “Alright, I’ll wait.”
He was eager to hear what sort of excuse Hadley would concoct this time.
Minutes passed, and finally Hadley’s call broke the silence.
Breathing heavily, she said, “I’m here! Where are you?”
“Are you actually here?” Eric questioned, scanning the surroundings through his window.
A yellow taxi pulled up at the courthouse, depositing Hadley on the curb. She hurriedly thanked the driver and looked around. “Can you see me, or have you gone inside already?”
“I’m watching you. Stay right there,” Eric instructed, disconnecting the call. He seized his black umbrella, exited his car, and walked toward Hadley, using the umbrella to shield them both from the relentless rain.
Drenched, her clothes clinging to her skin, mud smeared on her, Hadley stood before him. Eric’s face showed clear signs of displeasure.
“Did you just roll in the mud?” Eric blurted out.
“Let’s just go,” Hadley responded, pausing briefly before wiping her nose and whispering, “Let’s go. This won’t ruin the divorce proceedings.”
“Hadley!”
Reacting instinctively, Eric reached out and seized her arm.
“What’s this about?”
Hadley twisted away sharply, as if his touch burned her. Her eyes flashed with fury.
“Don’t touch me! How many times must I say it?” she hissed.
Taken aback, Eric froze, startled by the intensity of her response. It was that familiar look, the one Hadley reserved for moments when he crossed into her personal space. A mix of fear, disgust, and adamant defiance painted her face.
Could she possibly detest him?
A lump formed in Eric’s throat. A profound sorrow and discomfort settled heavily in his heart, a feeling he couldn’t dismiss.
He lashed out, his tone heavy with frustration. “Hadley, what’s with you and being touched? What have I done to deserve this? What’s wrong with you? You know what? You should probably go see a doctor!”
Pressing her hand to her abdomen, Hadley felt the cramps intensify, made worse by the rain and her hurried pace to the courthouse.
She grew paler, her lips forming a thin, strained line.
“Whatever problems I have won’t matter to you soon,” she replied, nodding firmly. “We’ll have our divorce finalized shortly, and then it’s all over.”
Eric’s response was a sharp, scornful chuckle, his gaze narrowing as he scrutinized her. “You’re just saying that because you know we can’t finalize the divorce today, aren’t you?”
“What?” Hadley stared at him, bewildered.
“You’re feigning ignorance,” Eric retorted, his expression dismissive. “Arriving just as the courthouse shuts? Clearly, you’re scheming to prolong this divorce, aren’t you?”
“What?”
A gasp escaped Hadley, her shock evident. The courthouse had already shut its doors? She hadn’t planned this delay. Despite walking miles in search of a taxi, it was only near downtown that she managed to hail one. Yet, she still arrived late.
Suddenly, darkness enveloped her vision.
Despite her struggle to maintain her balance, Hadley’s legs gave way. Her eyes closed as she fell forward, directly towards Eric. He barely managed to catch her, stumbling as her weight pressed into his arms.
“Hey!”
Surprised, Eric’s hands reflexively supported her.
“Hadley!”
His voice was sharp, his frustration evident as he uttered her name. She had vowed to stop playing tricks, yet here she was, literally collapsing into his arms. Anger surged within Eric, convinced that this was just another one of Hadley’s typical maneuvers. She had to have timed her tardiness deliberately!
“Hadley, stand up this instant!”
Yet, there was no reaction from the limp figure in his arms.
A sense of urgency crept into Eric’s voice. “Hadley? Can you hear me? Wake up!”
But Hadley remained unresponsive.
“I swear, if you don’t get up, I’ll…”
Eric began to push her away, but halted abruptly. Observing her ashen face, he realized she wasn’t pretending; she had genuinely lost consciousness.
“Hadley! What’s happened to you?” Panic seized Eric.
Acting on instinct, Eric lifted Hadley effortlessly, hurried to his car, and drove swiftly to the nearest hospital.
In the emergency room, Eric inquired anxiously, “Doctor, how is she doing?”
The doctor responded after finishing his examination, “She’s experiencing severe menstrual cramps. It’s common, but her case is particularly intense.”
While looking over at Eric, the doctor questioned, “She’s quite young. Why are these symptoms so severe for her?”
At that, Eric could only offer a helpless shrug. Why would he know that? He wasn’t the doctor here!
The doctor continued, “Menstrual cramps can be quite serious, especially when they’re as intense as hers. She should undergo a comprehensive examination once she regains consciousness to determine the underlying cause.”
“Understood,” Eric replied, his brow furrowed in concern.
“Here’s a prescription for her,” the doctor added, handing it over.
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