Hadley might not have the emotional capacity to fully let go of her previous relationship or to fully invest in a new romance.
Colleen looked at her cousin with a mixture of compassion and worry. “Zane, have you truly considered all the implications?”
Colleen’s concern for her cousin had been evident, hadn’t it?
A quiet laugh escaped Zane as he shook his head. “I do care for Hadley, that much is true. Still, that’s where things stand. I’m not about to dive headfirst into anything.”
A moment of silence passed before he let out a slow sigh.
“Whatever happens, happens. If it fizzles out or goes nowhere, well—at my age, nothing really rattles me anymore.”
No longer the lovestruck youth he once was, he saw no reason to let romance turn his world upside down.
“And what age would that be, exactly?” Colleen, lips pursed in a playful pout, spoke with a fierce loyalty only family could muster. “Men hit their stride right about now, you know? It’s the golden years for you.”
Zane blinked at her unexpected confidence, then burst out laughing.
“That’s a first. Thanks for that, Colleen.” He tapped his watch and gave her a nudge. “Come on, let’s get moving before your mom starts wondering where you are.”
“Alright, alright!”
Together, they straightened up the space and set off.
Chatter bubbled from Colleen as they walked. “You’re my cousin and Hadley’s my closest friend. I refuse to play favorites. You’ll both have to sort things out on your own—no interference from me!”
His laughter came easily. “You really think I’m the type who needs his cousin running interference for him?”
A sly grin spread across Colleen’s face as she arched a brow. “That’s true…” Independence had always set Zane apart from the rest of the Hayes family.
? d? g.?
Instead of joining the family’s enterprises after earning his degree from a world-class law school, he chose a different path—building his own law firm and investment company, far from the shadow of family tradition.
Naturally, there was a significant age gap between him and Hadley. He had already walked the road of marriage once and emerged from it divorced.
Those experiences, however, didn’t make him flawed.
If anything, age and the sting of betrayal had likely made him more thoughtful, someone who would cherish a relationship and treat his partner with care.
The thought crossed Colleen’s mind: if Zane and Hadley ever found happiness together, it would be something worth celebrating.
Later that day, while Joy napped, Hadley’s phone rang.
A landline number appeared on the screen—one she didn’t recognize.
With a curious tone, she answered the call. “Hello?”
“Hello. Is this Hadley Pearson?”
“Yes, this is she. May I ask who’s calling?”
A steady, official voice replied, “This is the Dracnesse Town Council. I’m reaching out about the forest redevelopment project in Dracnesse Town…”
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