“Mrs. Flynn,” Sebastian said, stepping out to open the car door for her.
“Please, come in.”
Sebastian opened the back door, revealing Eric seated inside.
Hadley gave Sebastian a grateful smile, gently closed the back door, and explained, “Thanks, Sebastian. I tend to get carsick, so I’ll sit in the front.”
She then opened the front passenger door and settled herself inside. Sebastian let out an awkward laugh and climbed back behind the wheel.
From the back seat, Eric raised an eyebrow, observing Hadley as she arranged herself. His handsome features took on a shadowed expression.
Was she deliberately avoiding him?
A smirk crept across his face.
Did she really think he minded? This arrangement suited him perfectly! The roads were clear, and they arrived at the sanatorium well before 8:30 a.m.
With Nyla’s surgery scheduled for today, they made their way directly to the surgical center.
As Eric and Hadley approached the elevator together, they unexpectedly ran into Linda in the elevator bank.
“Eric,” Linda called out, standing by the elevator with her assistant.
Upon seeing them, her face lit up with a friendly gesture toward Eric. “Good morning.”
Then, upon noticing Hadley, Linda’s smile broadened. “Hadley, good to see you too.”
“Morning,” Eric replied with a nod.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at work today? Why are you here? I’ve got everything under control here. You could’ve come after,” he added.
Linda playfully frowned. “No way, Eric. Nyla is as much my family as she is yours. My job doesn’t take priority over her.”
Eric didn’t argue further but instead looked down at Linda’s ankle.
“How’s the ankle holding up?”
“Just a bit sore, but I can manage,” Linda replied nonchalantly.
As they finished their conversation, the elevator doors opened.
Eric held the doors open, gesturing for Linda and her assistant to enter first. After they stepped in, he followed, then looked back at Hadley.
Nodding toward the open elevator, he said, “Come on in.”
Hadley paused, uncertain.
Rather than moving forward, she stepped back. “Just go ahead. I’ll follow shortly.”
What?
Eric’s confusion quickly turned to annoyance. “What are you doing? Get in here!”
His patience was running low. He reached out, intending to guide Hadley inside.
However, Eric stopped mid-gesture, recalling how much Hadley detested being forced into contact. Any physical attempt would surely upset her.
This realization made him reconsider.
“Let’s go, quickly now! Come inside!” Eric tried to encourage her verbally instead.
Hadley firmly shook her head, standing her ground.
“Hadley!”
Eric’s frustration was mounting, his temper on the brink.
Meanwhile, the elevator seemed indifferent to their quarrel. The doors started closing just before both Eric and Hadley.
“Stop!”
Eric’s attempt to halt the elevator doors was just a second too late. He grumbled softly, “Such a difficult woman!”
Inside, Linda and her assistant shared a look.
“Eric,” Linda said, gently pulling at his sleeve with a reassuring smile.
“Relax. It’s Nyla’s surgery today. Hadley will make it up in time.”
“I understand,” Eric responded, his brow furrowed. “But why is she so hesitant to join us in the elevator?”
Linda’s smile faltered slightly. “Well, it might be my fault. You know we had a disagreement recently, and perhaps she’s avoiding me because of that.”
A disagreement?
Eric’s expression hardened, his voice taking on a chill. “If that’s true, why is she throwing a tantrum now? Hadley should feel ashamed of herself!”
“Let’s not dwell on it,” Linda replied, her face tensing as she attempted to defuse the growing tension.
“That incident was some time ago. I was just upset then. We should put it behind us.”
“You expect me to just forget about it?” Eric responded sharply. “What Hadley did isn’t something minor that can just be overlooked. It’s unforgivable! We can’t simply forgive and forget.”
“Eric…”
“Enough.”
Linda attempted to soothe him, but Eric interjected, “You might forgive her out of kindness. But to me, it’s about the child our family lost. I will never forgive Hadley, not ever.”
How could he let it go and still look his brother or the rest of the family in the eye?
Linda looked up at Eric and then quietly let the matter drop, choosing to remain silent.
She then recalled another issue. “You mentioned that you had made a decision about finalizing the divorce. So, what’s happening with you and Hadley now?”
Eric dismissed the question.
“There’s been a complication. We’ll reschedule it for another time.”
At that moment, the elevator halted, and the doors opened.
Eric exited the elevator, glancing back at Linda. “Grandma isn’t aware yet, and you know how she sticks to her opinions. Please, let’s not mention this to her for now.”
“Understood.”
Linda agreed, offering a reassuring smile.
After a pause, Linda voiced her concern. “So, there was a problem, and the divorce proceedings were halted?”
“Yes,” Eric responded, his explanation brief. “A last-minute issue came up, and I wasn’t able to attend. We need to move on.” With that, he strode forward.
“Alright.”
Linda trailed behind, observing Eric’s retreating figure while lost in thought.
“Linda,” her assistant murmured, drawing close. “Mr. Flynn is finalizing his divorce. You might have a chance here. Don’t miss it.”
“What are you implying?” Linda retorted, her frown deepening as she quietly scolded her assistant.
“Eric and I are just friends! If anything, we’re practically family.” The assistant was visibly unnerved by Linda’s intensity.
“Never mention such things again!” Linda replied sternly. “If the press gets hold of it, we could be swamped with scandals. Understand?”
“Yes… I understand,” the assistant stammered.
“We need to move,” Linda instructed, folding her arms as she quickened her pace to catch up with Eric.
With Hadley yet to arrive, they were forced to wait in the lounge. Hadley entered a few minutes later than expected. Eric glanced at her with evident annoyance. “Let’s go, Grandma is waiting.”
“Alright.”
Eric led the way, Linda followed closely, and Hadley trailed behind. The room for pre-surgery preparation was set.
Nyla was on the bed, reaching out her hand eagerly as she saw Eric, Linda, and Hadley enter. “You’ve all arrived.”
“Grandma.”
“Nyla.”
Nyla gripped the hands of both Eric and Linda. “I’ll be alright, just you wait and see. No need to worry.” Her gaze then shifted to Hadley.
“Hadley, come closer, let me have a good look at you,” Nyla said.
“Nyla.” Hadley approached, and Nyla tenderly took her hand.
“Hadley, you’ve really matured after everything you’ve endured. Once I recover, I’m going to spoil you like in the old days, okay?”
“Absolutely. You’re on for a pinky promise, no backing down!” Hadley responded, extending her pinky finger.
“Huh?” Nyla was momentarily taken aback, but then her laughter filled the room. “Alright, alright!”
Nyla joyfully linked her pinky with Hadley’s. “It’s a promise, no going back on it!”
From a short distance, Eric watched with a subtle grin.
Despite Hadley’s challenging demeanor, her knack for brightening Nyla’s mood was undeniable.
With just a few playful words, Nyla was filled with laughter.
Eric and Linda knew they couldn’t inspire that joy quite like Hadley.
“It’s time, Mrs. Flynn. We should get going.”
A nurse arrived and began to take Nyla toward the surgery room. The operation was expected to last between four to five hours, providing plenty of time for the family to wait in the VIP lounge. As lunchtime neared, Linda checked her watch before addressing Eric. “Hey, Eric, what are you in the mood for? I’ll place an order.”
“Choose anything you like. I’m not picky.”
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