Zane said nothing at first, simply nodding thoughtfully. “That makes sense.”

Later that night, after arriving home, Zane headed to the study with his briefcase in hand. He pulled out the folder Hadley had given him, placed it carefully into the safe, and turned the lock with precision.

He then went straight to his bedroom without saying a word.

As he changed clothes, his fingers brushed against something in his jacket pocket—a crumpled cigarette pack and a lighter.

His hand paused, and a shadow passed over his face.

After a long breath, he opened the drawer and placed the lighter inside. He then crushed the cigarette pack into a tight ball and tossed it into the waste bin.

Meanwhile, over on Jewel Avenue, Tamara pulled into the driveway and brought the car to a gentle stop just outside the house.

“You go on in, Hadley,” Tamara said, shifting the car into park. “I’ll take care of getting the car into the garage.”

It had taken some time, but Tamara had finally grown used to calling her “Hadley” instead of “Miss Pearson,” just as Hadley had asked.

“Okay,” Hadley said with a quick nod as she stepped out of the vehicle.

Tamara drove away, leaving Hadley to make her way toward the house. Then, almost as if seized by a sudden impulse, she pivoted and rushed back to the gate, swinging it wide open.

The street outside was deserted, devoid of any signs of life or movement.

Hadley furrowed her brow and chuckled softly to herself. What was she imagining? Why did she have this sensation of being followed?

Shaking her head, she shut the gate firmly and returned inside. Not far from the corner, Eric remained hidden in the back seat of a parked vehicle, his pulse quick and unsteady.

That was a close call. Another few seconds and Hadley would’ve seen him.

Discover where it all happens: g?lnσν?s?c?m

He felt like a fool, creeping around like some pathetic shadow from her past.

However, there seemed to be no solution in sight.

His yearning spread like unruly vines, resisting every attempt to restrain it. He couldn’t suppress it. He couldn’t erase it.

“Ugh.” A sharp stab of pain pierced his head. Clenching his teeth, Eric let out a low groan. He fumbled in his pocket, pulled out a pill bottle, and swallowed one without water.

Slumping back against the seat, he closed his eyes, waiting for the pounding in his head to subside.

Dawn arrived quickly.

Ernest reached the hospital well before seven in the morning. Content originally comes from find?novel.net

“You’re here early, Mr. Flynn,” Linda’s caregiver greeted him with a polite nod. “Miss Harris is still asleep.”

“That’s fine,” Ernest replied with a gentle nod. “Did you finish packing her things?”

“Everything’s ready,” the caregiver confirmed, nodding.

Days earlier, Quentin had already instructed her to prepare Linda’s belongings.

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