“Humph.” Linda scoffed, her eyes raking over her with one last glance of contempt. Then, she turned to her caregiver. “Jane, let’s go.”

“Okay, Miss Harris.” The caregiver turned the wheelchair and pushed her away.

“Linda.”

The name rang out calmly from behind.

Hadley stood a few steps away, her eyes fixed on the back of the woman in the wheelchair. Then, in a voice devoid of emotion, she said, “A couple of days ago, Ernest told me that no matter what you say to me, I shouldn’t listen. Not a single word.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked up the stairs.

“Now—what?” Linda whispered, stunned. In the wheelchair, she whipped her head around and watched as Hadley’s figure disappeared at the top of the staircase. Color drained from her face, and her hands clutched the armrests without her realizing it. This update is available on f?ndnovel.net

For a fleeting moment, Linda felt lost.

Had she really won? And if so, why did it feel like something inside her had just come undone?

Locke and Joy came out of the room together and walked to the top of the stairs.

The former reached out and said, “Joy, give me your hand. It’s time to go downstairs. Let me hold your hand so you won’t trip yourself.”

“Okay!” Joy placed her chubby little hand in her cousin’s without hesitation. Hadley followed a few steps behind. Her gaze softened as the two children, still holding hands, carefully descended the stairs, one step at a time. Cradled in Joy’s arms was a Minnie Mouse doll. It was Locke’s gift to her from just moments earlier.

At the door, Linda was already seated in the car. Her luggage had been packed, and everything was ready.

Outside, Ernest was talking with Eric.

“I’m heading off now. Please take good care of Locke.”

“Don’t worry,” Eric assured him with a small smile. “I’ve gotten pretty good at looking after kids these days.”

“You?” Ernest shook his head in mock disbelief. “You’re still going to rely on Hadley, aren’t you?”

Of course, he was only teasing.

In truth, Locke’s nanny would be staying with him the entire time during his stay with Eric and Hadley. Ernest’s main reason for leaving him in their care was to make sure the boy didn’t feel alone.

“Thank you for your help, Hadley.”

“It’s nothing.” Hadley shook her head with a chuckle. “I just finished filming, so I’ve got some free time.”

“Well, I’ll be off then.” Ernest crouched down and gently patted Locke’s head. “Locke, Daddy’s leaving now. Be a good boy for me and listen to Aunt Hadley and Uncle Eric, alright?”

“I will, Daddy.”

“Have a safe trip, Ernest,” Hadley said.

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