His phone rang. It was Ernest.

“Hello?” Eric answered, sitting up slightly. His voice steadied. “Ernest?”

“Yes.” Ernest didn’t waste time. “Find a day to bring Hadley and Joy home for dinner.” It was an olive branch.

Eric understood. This was Ernest’s way of extending goodwill—maybe even an apology.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll talk to Hadley about it.”

“Good.”

Eric hesitated, fingers tightening around the phone. “Ernest…”

There was a pause.

“I have found someone I like.”

Hearing this, Ernest was momentarily stunned. This content belongs to find?novel.net

Eric took a breath and said seriously, “It’s Hadley. I like Hadley.”

Ernest didn’t answer right away. Then, finally, he said, “Congratulations.” He exhaled. “You and Hadley—you’ll be happy together.”

“Yes.” Eric nodded, a quiet smile forming. “I think so too. With Joy, the three of us… we’re a family. We’ll be happy. Goodnight, Ernest.”

“Goodnight.”

After ending the call, Eric sat still, phone in hand. His eyes dimmed slightly as he let out a slow breath.

It was the first time he had ever told Ernest what he wanted. For once, he didn’t want to live only out of duty.

Two days later, Hadley requested half a day off from the production team.

Eric and Joy both had follow-up appointments at the hospital. Naturally, Joy needed her mother there. And Hadley wanted to check on Eric’s recovery too.

They met with the doctors and got their tests lined up.

Joy’s condition was stable. Thurston adjusted her prescription and reminded them about a few precautions.

As for Eric, the circulation and sensation in his finger had returned, but movement was still limited. He couldn’t bend it yet. Hadley frowned. “When will he be able to move it properly?”

The thought crossed her mind—what if that finger never worked again?

“That’s hard to say,” the doctor replied. “Fingers are delicate. Fine motor control is difficult to restore. Even after a successful reattachment, it’s rare to regain full dexterity. But with consistent rehab, he can recover seventy to eighty percent of its normal function.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

Outside the doctor’s office, Hadley walked quietly, her head lowered.

She reached for Joy. “Let me carry her.”

“No need.” Eric held Joy with one arm and shook his head gently. He glanced at Hadley, and for a moment, his chest tightened. His throat moved as he swallowed. “Hadley, are you worried about my hand?”

Hadley didn’t answer right away. She glanced at him—and noticed he was smiling.

.

.

.