“That would be great. Otherwise, he won’t be able to concentrate on anything while he’s away on that business trip.”
After a few more exchanges, the call wrapped up, and Hadley handed the phone back to Zane.
Zane shook his head. “Nah. Aren’t you going to call Brady? Go ahead and use my phone. His number’s saved—just scroll a bit.”
“Got it.”
Hadley nodded, her thumb hovering over the screen—then paused. Only now did she realize they had been having the whole conversation in the middle of a crowded hall. “Zane, maybe we should take this somewhere a little less… public?”
A hospital ward wasn’t ideal for catching up, but at the moment, it was the best they could manage.
“Sure.”
Zane nodded with an easy smile and fell into step beside her. As they moved through the corridor, he instinctively took the lead, weaving ahead and gently parting the crowd to make space.
“This way, Hadley,” he said, glancing back to guide them through.
Even as Hadley and Zane disappeared down the corridor, Eric stood motionless. His gaze didn’t follow them—his eyes were fixed, unblinking, on something invisible and far away.
Beside him, Megan glanced up at his unreadable face, then toward the direction they’d gone. She scoffed, sharp and cold. “Still think this is all my fault?”
She shook her head, lips curling into a mocking smirk. “What exactly are you blaming me for? Am I the one standing between you and her?”
Eric snapped out of his trance, his eyes hardening as he shot her a warning glare. “Shut up.”
Without another word, he brushed past her and stormed toward the exit.
Don’t miss out gα?ησνls?c?m
“Hey! Eric!” Furious now, Megan chased after him and caught his arm. “Why are you taking this out on me? Tell me—am I wrong?”
“Let go,” he growled.
“No!” Megan planted herself in front of him, eyes blazing. “You still haven’t let go, have you? You’re still holding on to something that’s already gone! Can’t you see? She’s moved on—Zane’s with her now! To her, you’re ancient history!”
“I said enough!” Eric squeezed his eyes shut, jaw clenched, fighting the chaos inside him. His fists curled at his sides, the veins in his forehead twitching with restrained rage.
“No, I won’t stop!” she cried. “Someone has to say it—wake up, Eric! She’s not coming back. You’re stuck in the past, clinging to a version of her that doesn’t exist anymore!”
She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a bitter whisper. “Who are you holding out for? Because the woman you’re waiting for—she’s already walking away. And she’s not turning back.”
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