She reached for the bottle, twisted off the cap, and slipped the tablet into her mouth.

Tilting her head back, she let the water carry the pill down her throat. Suddenly, a sharp click pierced the quiet.

The metallic sound jolted her, and Hadley’s breath caught as the door swung open.

Water sprayed from her lips in a startled gasp, and she turned toward the entrance, choking as a violent cough seized her. Her wide eyes locked on the figure stepping inside.

Eric stood framed in the doorway.

Hadn’t he just left? Why had he returned so suddenly?

“Hadley?” Eric’s voice carried a note of surprise, mirroring Hadley’s.

He had come back for his watch, forgotten in his haste. Though his collection was vast, the matching pair he shared with Hadley held a singular place in his heart.

He hadn’t expected to find her awake at this hour.

Was she drinking water?

And now choking?

“Sorry, did I startle you?” Eric hurried to her side, concern etching his features as he reached out to pat her back. “Here, let me—”

“No need!” Hadley cut him off, waving him away as tears spilled from her coughing fit.

As he drew closer, she thrust out an arm to keep him at bay. “I’m fine… really, I’m much better now!”

“Better?” Eric’s brow furrowed, skepticism clouding his gaze. “You’re coughing up a storm. Did it go down the wrong way? Should we head to the hospital?”

“No…” Hadley gestured weakly toward him, her voice strained. “Just… pass me a tissue, please.”

Lɑt?st chαpt?rs in glov?ls.?m

“Right!” Eric grabbed the tissue box, pulling out a handful and pressing them into Hadley’s hand. Then he knelt to clean up the water that had spilled onto the floor.

His movements halted abruptly, his eyes locking onto something. “What is this?”

Ernest’s voice was steady and composed, yet his words carried an icy edge that cut through the air like a winter wind.

Elissa stood rooted to the spot, her body rigid as if frost had crept into her very bones. Each breath felt brittle, as though the slightest movement might snap her like a twig encased in ice.

“Elissa,” Ernest said, his gaze settling on her pale, delicate features as he extended a hand, palm open in a quiet invitation. “Come with me. Let’s go home.”

After a moment’s pause, he added softly, “Locke is waiting for you there.”

At the mention of Locke’s name, a pang stirred in Elissa’s chest, and she turned her face aside, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.

“Elissa?” Ernest’s brow furrowed when no reply came, a flicker of irritation dancing across his otherwise composed expression.

“I’m staying with Hadley,” Elissa declared, her lips pursed as she looped her arm through Hadley’s.

“Very well.” Hadley nodded, giving Elissa’s hand a reassuring pat before turning to Ernest with a gentle admonition. “Ernest, don’t frighten her.”

.

. Content originally comes from f?ndnovel.net

.