Eric had anticipated this.
If Gifford’s men were so easily apprehended, he wouldn’t have evaded capture for years.
The man was cunning, his plan meticulously crafted. Chapters first released on find?novel.net
“What are you trying to say?” Hadley’s voice cracked, disbelief and anguish flooding her words. Her eyes reddened, tears threatening to spill. “You said Joy would be safe! How could you let them get away?”
“Hadley,” Eric said softly, steadying her with a firm grip on her shoulders. His jaw tightened, but his voice remained calm. “Their target is me. They won’t hurt Joy—not until they’ve gotten what they want.”
“How can you be so certain?” Hadley’s voice broke, her bloodshot eyes searching Eric’s face as tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Joy is just a child! She can’t handle what adults can. I heard her crying—she was in pain, she was terrified!”
Her words faltered, drowned by the agony twisting her heart.
Eric pulled Hadley into his arms, his own worry cloaked beneath a steely resolve. “I’m doing everything I can. We’ll find her soon, I promise.”
Hadley’s sobs grew frantic, her breaths ragged as grief consumed her. “My Joy…”
Fearing Hadley might collapse from exhaustion, Eric lifted her gently and carried her back to the apartment.
The silence inside was deafening, the emptiness a stark reminder of Joy’s absence.
Eric settled Hadley on the sofa, her eyes swollen and rimmed with red.
“How is Melba?” she asked, her voice fragile.
“She is fine,” Eric reassured her.
Melba had been with Joy when the attack occurred, bravely attempting to fend off the assailants and sustaining injuries in the process.
“Phillips has taken her to the hospital. Her wounds are minor, nothing serious.”
Hadley nodded faintly, but fresh tears traced paths down her cheeks.
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Eric watched her, his heart heavy, and then rose to his feet.
“Where are you headed?” Hadley clutched his arm anxiously, unwilling to release her grip. “I’m going with you!”
Her eyes, shimmering with tears, locked onto him as though terrified he might vanish.
Eric’s gaze softened, his voice gentle. “I’m just grabbing a towel to wipe your face.”
“Oh.” Hadley paused for a moment, and then reluctantly released his hand.
Eric slipped into the bathroom and returned moments later with a damp towel, his movements tender as he gently dabbed at Hadley’s tear-streaked face.
Yet, no matter how carefully he wiped, her tears continued to fall, an endless stream of grief.
“Hadley,” Eric murmured, his voice heavy with sorrow, a knot tightening in his chest. “Please, try to stop crying. You’ll hurt yourself.”
“How can I stop crying?” Hadley shook her head, her voice raw with desperation. “Joy is so young, and she has only just recovered from the transplant surgery…”
Her words trailed off as she suddenly lifted her gaze, her eyes blazing with accusation.
“This is your fault! All of it! You’re the reason Joy is suffering! Why are you even her father? You weren’t there when she was born, you didn’t raise her, and now, because of you, she is in danger!”
“You’re right. It’s my fault.” Eric’s head bowed, guilt weighing heavily on him. “I’m sorry… to both of you.”
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