A sudden shiver coursed through him.

Something compelled him to count them, one by one. “One, two… twenty… thirty.” Exactly thirty pills.

Eric seized the bottle again, his eyes darting to the label; 30PS, it declared, unmistakable.

A full bottle. Thirty pills. Not a single one missing.

Eric lifted his gaze, his voice thick with strain. “You… haven’t taken any of them?”

“Exactly.”

Hadley’s nod was accompanied by a faint, knowing smile. “You checked carefully this time.”

She let out a soft sigh. “Both prescriptions came together. I only took half a sleeping pill once, when sleep refused to come.”

“Why?” Eric’s grip tightened on the bottle, his knuckles whitening.

“Sleeping pills are just supplements…”

“Why?” Hadley mirrored his tone, her voice light, almost teasing, yet edged with something deeper. “Because skipping them worsens my condition. That is what I’m aiming for.”

Eric froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. “You… want to get sicker?”

“Yes.” Hadley’s soft chuckle followed her stark admission.

Eric shot up from his chair, his eyes blazing with incredulity. “Is it… because of me?”

“Yes.” Hadley’s smile faded, but her nod was resolute, her gaze unflinching. Fresh chapters posted on F?nd-Novel.net

Eric exhaled sharply, squeezing his eyes shut as if to ward off the sting of Hadley’s words.

He shook his head, his voice trembling with frustration. “Even if you’re upset about me caring for Linda, you can’t sabotage your health like this!”

More chapters available at gα?ησνs?com

“Then tell me,” Hadley murmured, tilting her head, her voice a fragile whisper. “What choice do I have?”

“How could you say something like that?” Eric’s head throbbed, his temples pulsing with anger. “Who is your doctor? I’ll take you to them now… or we’ll find a better one! I’ll track down the finest specialist in the world… please!”

“Eric.” Hadley’s voice was gentle, her eyes locking onto Eric’s, a storm of despair and resignation swirling within them. “Don’t you see it yet?”

“See what?” Eric’s thoughts spiraled, a chaotic whirl of confusion. Hadley’s laugh was brief and bitter. “I could see a doctor, follow their advice, swallow the pills, and stick to the treatment. There is just one condition.”

“What condition? Tell me!” Eric dropped to one knee before Hadley, leaning close, his voice urgent. “Whatever it is, I’ll make it happen!”

Would he truly?

Hadley wondered in silence, clinging to a fragile hope.

She drew a slow, steadying breath and spoke deliberately. “Cancel the wedding. End things between us.”

One heartbeat passed. Then another.

.

.

.