“Thanks.”
Taking the prescription, Eric left to handle the payment and retrieve Hadley’s medication.
“Did Hadley ever get cramps before?” Eric wondered. But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t recall a single time. All he could remember was her frequent complaints and dependency on him.
Back in the emergency room, Hadley had regained consciousness. She grimaced from pain as she dressed and gathered her belongings.
“Hey,” a nurse interjected as Hadley attempted to leave. “Your boyfriend is picking up your medication. Please wait here for him.”
Boyfriend?
Hadley hesitated. Could that be Eric? She recalled being with him just before losing consciousness, but she questioned whether he would actually be so nice and bring her to the hospital. Regardless, it didn’t seem important at the moment.
“Understood, thank you,” Hadley responded, choosing not to trouble the nurse further. “I’ll wait outside.”
“Okay then.” The nurse moved on without further inquiry.
Hadley didn’t linger. Hoisting her bag onto her shoulder and clutching her sore abdomen, she exited the hospital.
Meanwhile, Eric had just collected the medications and was on his way back when his phone vibrated.
It was Nyla calling.
“Hello, Grandma?”
“Eric.” Nyla’s voice sounded weary, as if she had just woken up. “I’ve just recalled something important. Today marks the anniversary of Hadley’s grandmother’s passing. We ought to honor her memory. I’m ashamed I totally forgot,” Nyla replied, exhaling deeply. “Eric, can you find the time to accompany Hadley? It’s been four years since she last visited her grandmother’s grave.”
“What?!”
The news took Eric by surprise. He moistened his dry lips before inquiring, “Grandma, where is her grandmother’s resting place?”
“You don’t remember? We’ve visited together before. It’s at Kingsbridge…”
Oh no! A wave of realization washed over Eric. Hadley had told the truth. She really had gone to Kingsbridge today to visit her grandmother’s grave.
“Eric, are you listening?”
“I heard you, Grandma.”
Nyla let out another sigh. “Hadley might have been a bit indulgent before, but she was just a child unaware of her ways. She’s changed a lot since returning. She’s matured. Treat her kindly, Eric. She only has us now.”
“Grandma, I need to hang up now.”
Eric quickly ended the call as he arrived at the emergency room to pick up Hadley.
He yanked the curtain aside, only to stop dead in his tracks. The bed was empty. Hadley had disappeared.
“Where did she go?” Eric asked the nurse.
The nurse appeared confused. “She mentioned she’d wait outside. Didn’t you run into her?”
Eric’s smile held no warmth.
“If I had seen her, do you think I would be asking?” Eric thought to himself.
His expression hardened, and his jaw tightened. “She was a patient! And you allowed her to leave? If anything happens to her, it’s on this hospital!”
“Sir,” the nurse said, her eyes brimming with tears.
Frustrated, Eric left in a hurry, dialing Hadley’s number as he stormed out.
She didn’t answer.
Could she be upset, deliberately ignoring his calls? Or perhaps she had collapsed again and couldn’t respond?
Perplexed, Eric decided to drive back to Silver Villas to see if Hadley had returned there.
During the drive, he called Phillips.
“Mr. Flynn, how can I assist?”
“Check for any incidents in Kingsbridge today.”
Phillips responded promptly, “There’s no need to check. I’m aware of the situation. The overpass near Kingsbridge collapsed earlier today. Rescue teams are still managing the aftermath as we speak.”
That explained the situation.
Eric shut his eyes, feeling a wave of remorse. Hadley hadn’t been deceptive. She truly had been stuck in Kingsbridge today! Then how did she manage to reach the courthouse?
He recalled his own harsh words-“You’d better be on your way, even if it means crawling here!”
Visions of her outside the courthouse, wet and muddy, flashed through his mind. Had she taken his words literally and crawled to the courthouse?
At that moment, Eric’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his jaw clenched. He didn’t like her, but he had never meant to be so harsh with her.
Accelerating, he pushed the car faster.
Upon arriving at Silver Villas, the living room was dim, creating an almost eerie atmosphere. Eric entered swiftly.
The sofa was empty. Had Hadley not returned? Where else could she be?
Then, footsteps resonated. Glancing up, Eric saw Hadley, dressed in clean clothes, stepping out of the bathroom. She had obviously just showered.
She was here after all. What a relief!
Eric exhaled, though his face still held a stern expression as he spoke sharply. “Hadley, do you think this is a game? Leaving without a word? Making me look for you everywhere?”
Hadley gave no response.
Too weary to engage, she had no desire to exchange words with him. The idea of him worrying about her? It was laughable. Even if she were right in front of him, he’d likely just ignore her presence.
She moved to the sofa without a glance in his direction, spread out a blanket, lay down, and turned away from him.
She had to perform at Galant by nine that night and needed her rest now.
Eric’s expression darkened as he stopped abruptly. Could Hadley really be that irritable?
Lacking patience, Eric was nearly at his breaking point, ready to leave. However, looking down at the medicine bag he carried, he sighed internally. “I’m the one at fault here,” he muttered.
He moved closer, leaned over, and placed the bag gently on the coffee table.
Facing Hadley’s turned back, Eric said, “I’ve picked up your medicine. The instructions are on the bottles. Make sure to take them as directed.”
Hadley remained still, unresponsive.
The room’s dim lighting cast her silhouette, emphasizing her frailty.
Eric’s brow creased in concern. Was she always this slight?
Recalling how light she felt in his arms earlier, he realized she was significantly underweight. A pang of remorse struck him.
Eric hesitated before saying, “I need to apologize for today. I overlooked that it was the anniversary of your grandmother’s passing. Plus, I just found out about the collapse near Kingsbridge. I’m sorry.” Eric had said everything he needed to.
Previously, Eric had little patience with her, yet now he addressed her with unprecedented calmness and humility.
However, Hadley remained mute.
Eric narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you sleeping? You can’t go to sleep yet. You need to take your medicine.”
He then realized there was no glass of water on the coffee table. Feeling somewhat remorseful, he said, “Wait here. I’ll get you some water.”
Eric made his way to the kitchen.
Returning shortly with a glass of water, he set it down on the coffee table.
“Hadley, I’m aware you’re not asleep. Stop sulking and take your medication. You fainted earlier from the pain. It’s important you take your medicine now.”
As he placed the glass down, Eric accidentally brushed something off the table.
“Oh? What’s this?”
Eric stooped to retrieve the item.
It turned out to be a woman’s wallet, clearly belonging to Hadley. As it fell off the table, the wallet opened, and Eric caught a glimpse of a photo inside.
Whose face was in the photograph?
He picked it up and peered closer to get a better view…
“Hand that over!” Hadley exclaimed, suddenly sitting upright and grabbing the wallet from Eric’s grasp. She quickly closed it, her eyes flashing a warning. “Stay away from my things!”
Eric could no longer contain his frustration.
“Hadley, really? I was merely picking up your wallet after fetching you some water for your medication…”
“I don’t need your help!” Hadley retorted, gripping the wallet firmly, her expression cold and detached. “I didn’t ask for water, nor did I ask you to get me any medicine. I won’t take it!”
“You…” Eric said, his expression turning into a mask of anger. He pointed a finger at her aggressively. “You don’t want my help? That’s just fine! Do you really think I enjoy dealing with you? The next time I decide to intervene, just remember…”
Eric stopped mid-sentence. Overwhelmed with anger, he couldn’t finish his words in front of Hadley. He turned sharply and marched upstairs.
Hadley closed her eyes, enduring Eric’s rant. After a moment, she slowly reopened them and gazed at her wallet.
She gently touched the photo compartment.
“That was too close.”
He nearly discovered Joy.
Despite knowing Eric’s scorn for her was so profound that he would never acknowledge their child, Hadley still couldn’t bear the thought of him finding out about her existence.
Joy belonged solely to her.
The following day, Hadley remained at home, recovering and feeling significantly improved.
By evening, her real estate agent contacted her. The paperwork was complete.
More Kickass Romance Reads
Dive into irresistible romance stories packed with possessive heroes, forbidden passion, billionaire obsession, mafia intrigue, and heart-stopping twists. One chapter is never enough—your next addiction starts here.