Hold on. He didn’t want to see Linda? What did that even mean? Wasn’t Linda the one who had saved his life? The one he called family? Someone he couldn’t turn away from, no matter what?

Unless…

Could it be…

Hadley stopped the thought before it could take shape. Whatever his reasons were, they had nothing to do with her anymore. They were no longer together.

Without a word, she turned back to the window. Silence settled over the car like a thick fog.

When they arrived at Jewel Avenue, neither of them spoke. Slowly, the car rolled to a stop.

Eric stepped out first. He walked around, opened the door for her, and offered his hand. “Let me help you.”

Hadley glanced at it, then shook her head. She stepped out on her own and brushed past him. “I’m going in.”

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away.

“Alright…” Eric’s voice wavered. His hand remained outstretched for a moment longer before slowly dropping to his side.

He stood there, watching her walk away. A bitter smile formed at the corner of his mouth. Quietly, but loud enough for her to hear, he said, “Hadley, I won’t see her anymore. I promise.”

Hadley stopped in her tracks. Her shoulders quivered, betraying the emotion she was trying to suppress.

She heard him. But what was he doing? Explaining himself to her?

That time had passed. She didn’t need it anymore.

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Without turning back, she quickened her stride until she disappeared through the gate.

“Hadley…” Eric whispered her name, his voice fading into the wind. Did she hear him? Or was it already too late?

Meanwhile, Ernest ended the call and sat quietly for a moment. Then, he picked up his phone again and dialed Elissa.

“Hello? Why are you calling me at this hour?” Elissa glanced at the time. “I have to meet a client soon and hand over some designs. Then, I’ll be off work. What about you? Working late again?”

He had been busy every night lately.

“Yes,” Ernest replied. “Tonight might run especially late. You and Locke go ahead and have dinner without me. If it gets too late, have Sebastian take you home.”

“I knew it,” Elissa muttered, her lips curling into a pout. “Fine. Focus on work. I’ll take care of Locke. Gotta go now.”

“Okay.”

Elissa ended the call.

Ernest stared at the screen for a beat, then lowered the phone and exhaled. Slowly, he turned. From somewhere down the corridor, the faint sound of sobbing reached his ears.

Ernest frowned. He slipped the phone into his pocket and started making his way toward the sound. The cries grew clearer with each step.

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