Hadley’s heart tightened, but she nodded. “Okay.”

She shook out two pills into her palm. “You’ll need water…”

“Here!” Phillips, ever quick on his feet, dashed over with a bottle of water, uncapping it swiftly before handing it to Hadley.

“Thank you.” Hadley took it gratefully, guiding the bottle to Eric’s lips. “Eric, take your pills.”

“Alright.” Eric complied, swallowing the medicine with effort.

Yet his strength ebbed, his body sagging against Hadley’s frame. “I’m not feeling great… I need to lie down.”

Clearly, that wasn’t exactly ideal in this situation.

“Hadley.” Eric’s voice softened, and his eyes, glistening with a rare vulnerability, locked onto Hadley’s like a lost puppy seeking comfort. He gazed at her, pleading softly, “Please, can you take me back to Olisvale Bay?” Hadley wavered, uncertainty flickering across her face.

Phillips jumped in smoothly, “Why don’t you help Mr. Scott outside? I’ll fetch the car. We came in a hurry and didn’t bring any bodyguards, so… for old times’ sake, lend him a hand, will you?”

With that, Phillips hurried off to retrieve the car, leaving Hadley momentarily at a loss for words.

She glanced at Eric, her heart softening despite herself, and let out a quiet sigh before slipping an arm around him for support. “Easy now. No need to rush.”

“Alright,” Eric replied, a faint spark of joy warming his subdued tone.

They made their way out of the emergency center, settled into the car, and began the drive to Olisvale Bay.

Throughout the journey, Eric reclined in his seat, his eyes locked on Hadley as if she might slip away like a fleeting dream.

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Hadley kept her gaze averted, her thoughts a tangled whirl. Her only focus was reaching Olisvale Bay and leaving as soon as she could.

Upon arriving, Hadley steadied Eric as they ascended to the second floor.

“This way…” Eric gestured weakly to the left. “That’s where I sleep.”

Hadley froze for a moment, caught off guard. Eric’s room was supposed to be across the hall, yet her old room was the one he had pointed to.

“That is right,” Eric said, catching Hadley’s hesitation. A soft, wistful smile curved his lips. “After you left, I started sleeping in your room.”

He had chosen it because the space still held echoes of her, her scent lingering on the bed, the couch where she had curled up, the bathtub she had relaxed in, the chair she had favored. Every corner of the room whispered her presence.

“Alright,” Hadley murmured, her voice catching slightly. She dipped her head and guided him toward the room.

Pushing open the door, she stopped short, her breath hitching. The room was a perfect snapshot of her past. The bedsheets remained just as she had left them, soft, elegant hues that still carried her quiet touch.

Eric’s own room had always been austere, draped in shades of gray or deep blue. On the dressing table, her old comb and a half-used bottle of perfume stood exactly where she had left them, untouched by time.

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