After freshening up, Hadley met with the landlord, accompanied by the agent. She completed the payment for her deposit and rent, and received the keys to her new apartment.
She caught a ride back to Silver Villas to collect her belongings.
Hadley was thankful she didn’t have to encounter Eric after today. On her way back, she traveled by subway to the city center, followed by a bus ride, and made a stop at an ATM to withdraw some money. During rush hour, the traffic was chaotic, and the sidewalks overflowed with people.
That same evening, as Eric was on his way to dinner at Marshall’s, the traffic came to a halt at an intersection.
“Boss,” Sebastian, his driver, gestured towards the window. “Isn’t that your wife out there?”
What?
Distracted by work emails on his phone, Eric was caught off guard by Sebastian’s interruption. He looked out the window and spotted Hadley.
There she stood among the throng, slender and noticeable. She wore a white T-shirt paired with light blue jeans, her long hair flowing down her shoulders in waves. She appeared effortlessly graceful yet strikingly vivid.
There was a simplicity about her that was mysteriously captivating.
Eric’s brow furrowed. What was she doing here? Just yesterday, she was in severe pain and refused her medication. And now, here she was, weaving through the crowd?
She lacked a stable job and seemed to just meander through life.
“Mrs. Flynn!” Sebastian shouted, lowering the window and gesturing excitedly before Eric could intervene. “Right here!”
At the sound of Sebastian’s voice, Hadley turned, catching sight of them, her expression one of surprise.
She paused briefly but then approached, greeting Sebastian with a smile. “Hello, Sebastian.”
It was only after this greeting that Hadley peered into the backseat. Through the darkened glass, she glimpsed Eric’s silhouette but couldn’t make out his expression.
Noticing the silence that had settled since Eric remained quiet, Sebastian broke it by inquiring, “Where are you off to?”
“Returning to Silver Villas,” responded Hadley, still smiling.
“Mm-hmm…”
Sebastian looked towards Eric, seeking guidance.
“Sir, your wife is heading to Silver Villas,” Sebastian mentioned, checking the situation. The unspoken question lingered in the air- “Should we offer her a ride?”
Eric remained focused on his phone, showing no interest in the situation.
Sebastian chuckled awkwardly, his discomfort increasing.
Recognizing his unease, Hadley offered a warm smile. “It’s okay, Sebastian. I’ll manage on my own. Goodbye.”
“0-okay, goodbye.” With a wave, Hadley turned and disappeared into the crowd, quickly becoming invisible.
Sebastian released a resigned sigh. Having driven for the Flynn family for years, he sometimes dared to offer advice to Eric.
“Sir, catching a taxi around this time can be difficult. Perhaps we could give her a lift?”
“Difficult to find a taxi?” Eric finally set his phone aside and looked up, his eyebrow arched. “It’s no issue. She’s not in any hurry. She has nowhere urgent to be.”
“But…” Sebastian said, his voice trailing off in frustration.
Sebastian was well aware of Eric’s disdain for Hadley.
“No buts,” Eric interrupted him, gesturing dismissively. His gaze hardened. “We both know Hadley well. If we let her in, she’ll cling to me as she always does. I’d rather avoid any drama.”
Eric pondered, “Moreover, didn’t she insist she didn’t need my help?”
Why complicate his life? It was easier to let her sort things out on her own.
“Sebastian,” Eric interjected, raising his hand. “Just drive. The traffic’s starting to move.”
“Okay then.”
Back at Silver Villas, Hadley arrived, sweating after a cramped bus ride, feeling as though she had been stuffed into a tiny can.
She had come just to collect her belongings. Since her suitcase was still packed, the process was quick. She would simply pull it out and leave.
Hadley collapsed onto the living room sofa and pulled the cash she had withdrawn from the ATM out of her bag, counting it carefully. Exactly $5,200.
She then grabbed a blank envelope, jotted down a few words on it, and after stuffing the cash inside, she placed it neatly on the coffee table.
Having completed her tasks, Hadley felt a sense of relief wash over her. Now, she could leave with peace of mind.
Before heading out, she grabbed the remaining two pieces of bread from the refrigerator.
She made her way back to her new rental. Fortunately, the peak of rush hour had subsided, leaving the roads open and easier to navigate.
Upon arriving, Hadley unlocked her new home, placed her suitcase inside, and rolled up her sleeves, ready to clean. She diligently wiped down every surface, dusted all areas, and neatly arranged her belongings.
By the time she finished, the day had turned into night.
Feeling her stomach rumble, Hadley remembered the bread she had eaten on the bus ride-it had hardly satisfied her after all the cleaning.
With her wallet in tow, Hadley secured her apartment and walked to the nearby supermarket. She bypassed the better options, opting instead for a huge loaf of bread, some pickles, and a jar of peanut butter.
Once home, Hadley prepared a simple meal-peanut butter sandwiches with some pickles.
Options were few. Without any income yet and after parting with $5,200, she had to make each dollar last.
The $5,000 from the police settlement wasn’t her choice, but Hadley was adamant about not letting Eric handle it. She was determined to sever all ties with him.
Luckily, Hadley had a job now and would soon get her first paycheck. She would have to stretch her budget until then, but at least she wouldn’t starve.
This situation didn’t faze her; she had endured far worse.
Back in Blathe, Hadley had once rummaged through restaurant bins for food.
At least now she could afford some bread and pickles, and she no longer faced the harsh glares or had to compete with homeless people over discarded food. Gone was the delicate young woman the Flynn family had once sheltered.
Late that night, Eric arrived back at Silver Villas around two in the morning. The living room was shrouded in darkness, with only the dim light from a streetlamp filtering through the window. Entering, Eric instinctively looked toward the sofa.
He stopped, blinked, thinking perhaps his eyes were deceiving him, and looked again. But no, his initial observation was correct.
The sofa was unoccupied.
Confusion set in. Wasn’t Hadley supposed to be there? It was incredibly late. Where could she be?
Eric let out a derisive snort. “Done playing the helpless card? Finally got herself a room?”
A wave of dizziness washed over him, prompting him to shake his head clear. Tonight, he had inadvertently overindulged in alcohol.
Without further ado, he made his way upstairs.
The following morning, Eric emerged late from bed, nursing a hangover that was tempered slightly by a refreshing shower.
Downstairs, his housekeeper, Lina Hinks, was tidying up.
Upon spotting him, she approached quickly. “Mr. Flynn, I found this on the table for you. Please, have a look.”
“What’s this?”
Eric accepted the substantial envelope. Curiosity piqued, he wondered what it contained. The envelope was thick, seemingly stuffed with cash, and bore handwritten notes.
“To Eric Flynn, enclosed is $5,200. Of this, $5,000 covers the settlement you paid, and $200 is for cleaning the couch, which is the standard rate. I’ve moved out. Apologies for any inconvenience over the last few days. Hadley Pearson.”
That was the entirety of the message.
Eric’s expression hardened as he slit open the envelope, revealing a bundle of cash inside.
Of bills tumbled out.
“What on earth…”
Chuckling bitterly, Eric flung the envelope aside and continued deeper into the house. Pausing at the bathroom, he noticed the absence of Hadley’s bulky suitcase.
“Lina!”
“Yes, Mr. Flynn!” Lina hurried to his side. “What can I do for you?”
Eric’s face was stern as he gestured towards the servants’ quarters. “Have these rooms been cleaned? Is anyone occupying them?”
“They’ve been cleaned,” Lina replied, puzzled. “They’re empty. No one has occupied them.”
It was clear then. Hadley hadn’t just moved to another room. She had left for good.
She likely departed the previous evening. And she had settled her debts with him.
Since the age of fifteen, Hadley had depended on the Flynn family for everything.
A cold rage flickered in Eric’s eyes as his lips curled into a sneer. “Hadley, do you think you can treat my home like a hotel? Just coming and going as you please?”
Eric then dialed Hadley’s number.
At that moment, Hadley was still deep in sleep. She answered groggily.
“Hadley.”
Eric’s tone was even over the phone, yet Hadley sensed an underlying coldness that made her uneasy. She swallowed hard. “What’s up?”
“You didn’t return last night? Where did you go?”
What?
A wave of surprise jolted Hadley more awake. “Didn’t you read the note I left? I’ve moved out…”
“Who said you could leave?”
Eric’s voice rose sharply, the anger in his tone nearly piercing Hadley’s ear. “Was that cleared by me?”
Hadley’s brow furrowed. “Since when do I need your approval? It’s your house. I shouldn’t have to stay where I’m not wanted.”
Caught off guard by Hadley’s retort, Eric fell silent, unable to muster a comeback.
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