“The decision is made.” Eric’s determination brooked no argument. “We divide our forces. Execute immediately.”

“Hadley?” Tamara’s voice carried gentle concern.

She clutched their shared umbrella while studying Hadley’s expression with growing worry. Hadley gazed into the distance, her heart saturated with the same relentless sorrow as the falling rain. Her fingers tightened around the bracelet until her knuckles turned white.

After drawing a shuddering breath, she forced herself to move forward. Without warning, a sleek black sedan slammed to a stop, sending torrents of muddy water cascading in all directions. The vehicle positioned itself directly in Hadley’s path, creating an insurmountable barrier.

The door burst open with a sharp metallic clang.

“Eric!” A woman’s voice cut through the storm as a graceful silhouette launched herself from the car and sprinted toward him.

“Miss Aston! You’ve forgotten your umbrella!” The chauffeur pursued her desperately, clutching an umbrella in his outstretched hand.

She dismissed his efforts entirely, throwing herself into Eric’s embrace with reckless abandon. “Thank heaven! I’ve finally found you!”

Her collision struck him with surprising force. Eric’s wounded body absorbed the impact poorly, forcing him to retreat two unsteady steps. His brow creased with bewilderment as he looked down at her.

“Megan? How did you get here?”

“What do you think?” Megan tilted her face upward, her expression mixing innocence with wounded reproach. “I was terrified for your safety!” She burrowed deeper into his arms, seeking greater intimacy. “At least you’re alive and standing before me.”

“Ugh!” A pained sound escaped Eric’s throat. “Release me.”

“What?” Megan jerked back in surprise, loosening her grip a little while still clinging to him. “You’re injured? Did I cause you additional pain?”

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“You recognize that and still refuse to release me?”

“Absolutely not.” Megan’s lower lip protruded in defiance as she shook her head. “The moment I let go, you’ll banish me. I refuse to leave.”

“Release me immediately.” Eric’s voice carried steely authority.

Meanwhile, Hadley retreated silently into the shadows, her heart unable to endure the intimate scene unfolding before her. Earlier, she had wondered why Eric came yet instructed Tamara to keep it secret.

The explanation blazed before her with crystal clarity. It was because of Megan. He had embarked on a new chapter of his life. With a new romantic partner, maintaining appropriate boundaries was essential. His logic was flawless. Her expectations had been unreasonable.

She squeezed her eyes shut against the pain before whispering, “Tamara, we should leave.”

“What?” Tamara stared at Hadley in disbelief. “I thought we were going to—”

“Confirming his safety is sufficient for me,” Hadley said, then added, “And please don’t mention that I came here.”

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