Now that Hadley and Joy had moved out of the Scott estate, he couldn’t afford any missteps.

“Understood,” Phillips said with a resigned sigh. “I’ll arrange it.”

Inside the villa, Hadley carefully inspected Brady. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m totally fine…” Brady twirled in front of her, letting her see for herself.

“Good.” Hadley sighed in relief, then warned, “Promise me you won’t do this again.”

“No promises,” Brady grumbled. “You stopped me this time… But if I see him again, I’ll deck him!” Hadley fell silent.

“Humph.” Brady pouted. “I’m not dumb… Even if you chose to end it, it’s still his fault! He broke your heart and treated you badly!”

Hadley paused, her eyes glistening with emotion.

Her brother’s unwavering loyalty to her was absolute.

Tears threatened to spill, but Hadley blinked them away and quickly steered the conversation in another direction. “So, what brought you here today? Did something slip your mind?”

“Right.” A moment passed before Brady recalled the reason for his visit. “I checked the house thoroughly after our last conversation. Everything’s fine. In a little while, I’ll bring the staff over to show them how everything works—switches for the water and lights, that sort of thing. I also brought your car over. It’s parked outside.”

“Okay, understood.”

Together, they wasted no time finishing up the necessary tasks.

“I appreciate your help,” Hadley said with a grateful smile. She didn’t let the topic linger. “By the way, how are things between you and Colleen?”

Brady stiffened, a flush spreading across his face. s ? ?s Find[?]ovel.net

Words stumbled out of him. “It’s… going fine, I think?”

Curiosity got the better of Hadley. “Just fine? Come on, Brady, that doesn’t tell me anything. Do you see things moving forward or not?”

A hint of amusement played on Brady’s face. “Honestly, I don’t think she minds being around me. She never turns me down when I ask her out.”

Hadley mirrored his expression with a gentle smile.

That could only mean things were moving in the right direction.

Encouragement filled her tone. “Just stay the course.”

“Definitely,” Brady replied, his grin brightening. “I’m putting in all the effort I can!”

Warm sunlight poured in as the morning began.

Rising early, Hadley prepared for her visit to Hamza’s clinic.

There was no time to delay her checkup—not with an important project just around the corner.

Tamara was behind the wheel that morning, driving the car Brady had given Hadley.

Pulling out of the driveway, they made their way to the clinic.

Just around the corner, beneath a thick veil of leafy branches, a Bentley Arnage sat quietly, its polished surface broken up by shadows from the overhead trees.

From the back seat, Eric watched as Hadley’s car slowly faded into the distance.

.

.

.