“Eric…” Hadley’s voice wavered with surprise. She hadn’t expected to run into him again so soon.
Curiosity flickered in her tone. “Did you come in for a check-up?” Almost instantly, she corrected herself. “Wait, your follow-up isn’t scheduled for today.”
She remembered his routine by heart—after all, she’d gone with him to every appointment in the past. According to the calendar, his next visit should still be days away.
“Hold on a second!” Eric called out to Hadley, his eyes searching hers with concern. “Why are you at the hospital? Are you sick? Or… is something wrong with Joy?”
“No, I’m fine, and so is Joy,” Hadley reassured him with a soft smile. “I’m here to see Colleen…”
Before she could explain further, her phone began to ring. It was Colleen, who had just finished her shift.
“Colleen is waiting for me. I have to go now. Goodbye,” she said quickly, already turning away to answer the call.
“Goodbye…” Eric barely managed to respond before Hadley dashed off, speaking into the phone as she moved. “I’m coming already! Stop nagging, Dr. Hayes…”
Eric watched her disappear down the corridor, a trace of bitterness flashing across his face. Under his breath, he whispered, “Goodbye, Hadley.”
He stood there for a while in silence, then finally turned and headed toward the underground parking garage.
As Eric stepped out of the elevator, another set of doors slid open beside him. Ernest emerged, and the two came face to face.
“Ernest,” Eric said, furrowing his brows slightly, his throat tightening.
“Eric,” Ernest replied with a small nod, hesitating for a moment. “Do you have a minute? I’d like to talk.”
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“Yeah, I do,” Eric answered, motioning toward his car. “Let’s talk there.”
They made their way to the car and got in.
Ernest glanced sideways at Eric. He noticed something was off; Eric didn’t look well. He hadn’t shown up at the hospital for days, and calls from the caregiver had gone unanswered. Even when Ernest had tried to reach Eric the night before, he hadn’t picked up.
Ernest wasn’t trying to blame him, but seeing Eric like this raised concerns he couldn’t ignore.
“What’s going on, Eric? Can you talk to me?”
“I’m sorry.” Eric half-closed his eyes, his expression heavy. He said bluntly, “I haven’t been to the hospital these past few days… and I won’t be coming back anymore.”
Ernest was slightly stunned, frowning in confusion, but he stayed quiet, giving Eric space to explain.
“Ernest…” Eric turned to face him, his eyes filled with clear resentment. “I don’t want to see her. I can’t see her!”
He took a deep breath, clenching his jaw. “I’m scared I’ll lose control if I do.”
“What are you talking about?” Ernest stared at him, stunned.
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