“You’re welcome,” Eric said, managing a smile as he ruffled Locke’s hair. The boy, raised by Ernest and Elissa, carried himself with a maturity beyond his years.

Then Eric’s eyes drifted past Locke, settling on Joy. She was staring at him, her cheeks puffed out in a defiant pout.

“Joy…” Eric began, his voice faltering as his face stiffened.

“Humph!”

Joy spun her head away, refusing to meet his gaze, clinging tightly to Locke’s arm. “Come on, Locke, let’s go!”

“Uh, sure,” Locke said, casting a sympathetic glance at Eric. “See you, Uncle Eric!”

“Right… see you,” Eric mumbled, a flush of embarrassment and trepidation creeping over him.

“Ugh!”

Suddenly, a sharp pang pulsed through his head. Eric’s expression shifted as he winced. He fumbled in his pocket for a small bottle of medicine and made his way to the kitchen.

Inside, a servant was bustling about. Noticing him, she asked, “Mr. Scott, can I help you with anything?”

“Just a glass of water, please,” Eric replied.

“Of course.” The servant poured one and handed it to him with a smile.

“Thank you,” Eric said, taking the glass and stepping away to a quiet corner. He swallowed a pill, chasing it with a sip of water.

“What are you doing here?” Hadley’s voice cut through the moment, startling Eric.

Eric coughed, nearly choking on the water as the pill went down. The medicine bottle slipped from his grasp, clattering to the floor.

He bent to retrieve it, but Hadley was quicker. The bottle had rolled to her feet, and she picked it up, handing it back to him with a steady gaze. “Here you go,” she said.

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“Thanks,” Eric muttered, hastily tucking the bottle back into his pocket.

Something felt off, and Hadley’s brow furrowed. “Are you taking your medicine regularly?” she asked, concern threading her voice.

“Yes,” Eric said, forcing a smile to mask his discomfort.

Hadley’s unease deepened, her voice soft but probing. “What kind of medicine is it? You weren’t taking those pills before, were you? Were they prescribed after a recent visit to the doctor?”

“Yes,” Eric replied, his smile tight, nodding without offering more.

His pulse quickened, a nervous rhythm thrumming in his chest.

Thankfully, at that moment, Elissa descended the staircase, breaking the tension.

“Elissa,” Hadley called out, turning to her friend and swiftly taking the suitcase from her hands with a warm smile.

Eric let out a quiet sigh of relief as he reached for the suitcase. “Allow me.” He took it from Hadley and turned to Elissa.

Beyond picking up Locke, Ernest had entrusted him with a message for her. “Ernest asked me to tell you that if you’d like, you can visit Locke regularly, just as you used to.”

Elissa’s head snapped up, her eyes widening with astonishment. “Really? I can still see Locke?”

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