“And so…” Eric’s tongue felt leaden, his words dazed and heavy. “You truly… have feelings for Zane?”

Hadley paused, considering, and then nodded. “He is a good man. It’s not out of the question. If things align, I might explore something deeper with him.”

At her words, Eric’s eyes fluttered shut, his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles whitened. A bitter taste flooded his mouth, sharp and unbearable.

“You’ll have your new life… but me? I’ll never move on.”

Hadley froze, caught off guard by the rawness of his confession. But then she offered a gentle, wistful smile, shaking her head. “Don’t be so absolute…”

Her gaze softened, her memories stirring—echoes of herself five years prior, heartbroken and adrift.

“You feel like the world is ending now, but as someone who has walked down that road, let me tell you something—time heals all wounds. There is nothing it can’t mend.”

Shadows of the past flitted through her mind, elusive and fleeting, like whispers of a life once lived.

Her smile softened, imbued with a quiet certainty. “If a single day isn’t enough to heal, then give it a month. If a month falls short, then a year. In time, it will all fade.”

“Into the past. One day, you’ll release it. The love you held so tightly will slip away, as if it never existed.”

“Hadley…” Eric’s gaze locked onto hers, a torrent of words trapped in his throat. He wanted to swear he could never forget her—not in this lifetime or any other.

But the words refused to surface.

All he could do was shake his head, a silent plea.

“Hadley…” Her name fell from his lips again, his eyes brimming with tears, his head shaking in fervent denial.

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In that moment, Hadley saw it clearly—the raw, undeniable truth that, at least right now, his love for her was real.

“Thank you, Eric,” Hadley suddenly said, her smile tender, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Thank you for loving me, even if it’s come far too late.”

She fluttered her lashes, speaking gently. “But at least it did happen.”

With those words, she took a step back. “I’m leaving now. I’ll have Phillips come in.”

Without another glance, she turned and walked out of the bathroom.

“Hadley!” Eric’s voice followed her, a low, desperate growl laced with anguished intensity.

Hadley’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment, her steps quickening as she fled the room.

“Hadley! Hadley…”

At the door, Tamara and Phillips snapped to attention at the sight of her.

Hadley’s gaze flicked to Phillips. “Go to him. He shouldn’t be alone right now.”

With that, Hadley turned and hurried away.

Tamara and Phillips exchanged a fleeting glance. Phillips dashed into the room, while Tamara raced after Hadley.

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