Without waiting for a reply, she reached for her phone. “Let’s see if she’s free. I’ll give her a call.”
Hadley dialed.
After a few rings, a groggy voice came through the speaker. “Hello? Neurosurgery department…”
Colleen seemed half-asleep.
Hadley paused, then let out a soft chuckle. “Hello, Dr. Hayes,” she teased.
Colleen instantly recognized Hadley’s voice and snapped to attention. “Hadley! Sorry, old work habits,” she apologized.
“No worries,” Hadley said with a warm smile. “Are you free today? Do you have time? Maybe we can shop a bit, grab something to eat—and I’d love for you to meet Elissa.”
Since Colleen’s return to town, both she and Hadley had been swamped with work, leaving little time to truly reconnect.
“Sounds great,” Colleen agreed brightly. “Send me the location. You two head out first—I’ll get ready and catch up with you.”
“Perfect,” Hadley said, ending the call with a tap.
Just then, a maid approached, her arms stacked with booklets, and asked Hadley, “Miss Pearson, should I bring these to the parlor again?”
Hadley glanced over, her brow furrowing. “Why so many? Didn’t they drop off a whole stack just yesterday?”
“They did,” the maid said with a cheerful smile. “But Mr. Scott wanted to give you more choices. He wants you to find something you truly love.” Original content can be found at find?novel.net
“Okay. Just put them over there for now,” Hadley instructed.
“Of course.” The maid nodded understandingly, then quietly withdrew.
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Breaking off a piece of bread, Elissa succumbed to mounting curiosity. “Those numerous catalogs—what purpose do they serve?”
A momentary pause preceded Hadley’s resigned exhalation. “Wedding preparations—every last one of them,” she confessed.
Comprehension dawned instantly across Elissa’s features. The revelation aligned perfectly with reality; she had, after all, witnessed Eric’s proposal firsthand.
Yet Hadley’s demeanor betrayed a distinct absence of the customary bridal enthusiasm.
After brief contemplation, Elissa ventured gently, “Marriage represents celebration and joy. Perhaps embrace the experience rather than endure it.”
The concerns plaguing Hadley’s thoughts remained transparent to her perceptive friend.
“Linda’s departure is already accomplished—her absence stretches before us for at least two years. Future developments remain shrouded in uncertainty. Surely, the critical element lies in the harmonious understanding between you and Mr. Scott, building a meaningful shared existence. Wouldn’t you agree?”
The wisdom in these words resonated deeply with Hadley’s convictions. This very mantra had circulated through her consciousness repeatedly in recent days.
A knowing smile touched her lips as she inclined her head before directing a penetrating glance toward Elissa. “Does this counsel target me specifically, or perhaps serve as self-directed reinforcement?”
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