A dry smile touched her lips. “Blathe’s not like Srixby,” she said lightly. “Doctors there are… more cautious. About prescribing things.”

It was a half-truth, the kind people tell when the full one is too sharp to share.

But Eric saw right through it. And it tore at him. Still, he said nothing. His silence weighed heavier than words. Follow current nov?ls on FindN()vel.net

He didn’t hand her the medicine. “Just rest for now,” he said quietly. “Wait for the food.”

Then, he turned and walked out of the room.

Hadley blinked after him, puzzled by the sudden shift. But her head felt too heavy, her body too sluggish to chase the thought. She rolled over, pulling the blanket close, and drifted back to sleep.

In the haze between dreaming and waking, she heard the door creak open again. Eric was back.

Hadley remained motionless, her eyes squeezed shut, unwilling to acknowledge the world outside her head.

A shift in the mattress signaled that Eric had joined her, settling quietly by her side.

“Hadley,” he said softly, his hand coming to rest gently on her shoulder. “Come on, try to eat something, will you?”

No answer came. She stayed perfectly still, refusing to give in.

Eric spoke again, his tone gentle as he urged her. “Come on, just eat a little. After that, you can take your medicine.”

“No.” She pulled away, her words sharper this time. “I don’t want food.”

“But you have to eat,” Eric said, a small frown creasing his forehead. He reached over to help her up. “Do you feel weak? Do you want me to give you a hand?”

“I already told you, I’m not going to eat.” Her eyes flew open in irritation as she brushed his hand off. “I don’t want food. I don’t want medicine. I just want to sleep. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

Without waiting for an answer, she rolled away, pulling the blanket over her head to shut him out. “Please leave, and close the door behind you.”

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Eric met her anger with a helpless sigh, not a hint of frustration on his face. Soon, she heard the quiet sound of him standing up, his footsteps heading toward the door.

Maybe this time he had actually left.

A rush of relief washed over her as she peeked out from under the covers. But the argument had left her wide awake, any drowsiness now gone for good. Now, she would have to start all over, coaxing herself to sleep again.

To her surprise, the door creaked open not long after. Eric had returned.

What could he possibly want now?

Determined to block him out, Hadley squeezed her eyes shut, feigning sleep. Eric entered quietly, carrying a tray. After setting it gently on the nightstand, he lowered himself onto the mattress beside her.

His voice came softly from behind her. “Hadley, try to eat a little. I brought the food right here for you.”

She didn’t budge, so he brought the meal within reach.

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