Eric’s eyes narrowed as he glanced between the pill and Hadley’s tense expression. His suspicions only grew.

“You’re taking medicine? What kind is this? Are you sick?”

Hadley clamped her lips together, heart hammering against her ribs.

She refused to meet his eyes or answer his question.

“Hadley?” Eric sounded almost desperate, anxiety creeping into his voice.

His grip on the tissue tightened. “Just tell me what this is. Don’t say it’s a vitamin.”

He replayed everything in his head, piecing the clues together. “Is that why you jumped when I walked in? Because you were trying to take this? So, what is it?”

Eric’s anxiety sharpened. “Hadley, don’t keep this from me. If you won’t tell me, I’ll just have it analyzed. It’s only a matter of time…”

“There’s no need for that.” Hadley finally met his eyes, steady and resolved.

She could see he meant every word, and panic wouldn’t help her now. Right now, looking into his eyes, she suddenly felt eerily calm. Her eyes lingered for a moment on the tissue he held; then she answered, her words careful and even.

“Sleeping pill.”

“What did you say?” Eric froze, struggling to process her response. For original chapters go to f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?.net

“Sleeping pill? What do you mean?”

“You’ve never heard of sleeping pills before?” A small, tired smile tugged at Hadley’s lips. “They’re for people who can’t sleep. They make it easier to drift off.”

“I know what sleeping pills are!” Eric cut in, his brow furrowing with worry. “But why are you taking them?”

She let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “That’s not a mystery, Eric. I take them because I can’t sleep.”

“Is it insomnia?” Eric pressed further, his concern growing. “When did this start?”

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All this time they’d been together, and not once had she brought it up.

“If I didn’t need them, I wouldn’t be taking them…” Hadley’s voice grew sharper. She had no desire to keep arguing.

With a dismissive wave, she tried to end the discussion. “Aren’t you supposed to be heading to the hospital? Why are you still standing here? Why did you even come back here? If you forgot something, just grab it and go. Don’t waste any more time.”

“Alright.” Eric gave a curt nod, then crushed the tissue with the pill in it in his fist and shoved it into his suit pocket.

She caught that gesture. For a split second, her heart stumbled.

Eric got to his feet and held out his hand to her. “You’re coming with me.”

“What are you talking about?” Hadley stared at him, confused. “Why should I go with you?”

Eric’s expression didn’t waver. “You shouldn’t be taking pills on your own. We’re going to the hospital so a doctor can check you over.” He kept close tabs on her, thanks to Tamara’s regular updates. He knew she hadn’t visited the hospital lately. He didn’t give her a chance to refuse. He grabbed her hand and started to pull her along. “Come on. Let’s go.”

“Let go!” Hadley tensed, every muscle going rigid as if an electric shock had hit her. Her teeth began to chatter from the rush of emotion.

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