Hadley had no choice but to take it.
“You win,” Megan said, clapping her hands with a grin. “But I haven’t lost either. I’m stepping back on my own terms. If he weren’t this close to dying, I wouldn’t have let go so easily.”
She winked with a small smile. “No point in sticking around, so I’m heading out.” Megan brushed past Hadley and took a few steps before pausing.
“Oh—almost forgot.” She turned halfway, her voice light. “Tell him something for me. I won’t breathe a word about his illness. Why would I hurt someone I love so deeply? He still doesn’t believe I mean it!”
She gave a soft laugh, but her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Megan added, sniffling, “Anyway… I’m really leaving this time!”
She turned sharply and waved her arm high. “No need to walk me out!” Hadley watched her go and quietly said, “Take care.”
“Okay!” Megan called back without turning around.
Hadley let out a short chuckle.
They’d never gotten along—not since they first met. For once, Megan had earned something unexpected from her—a sliver of approval. She didn’t doubt Megan’s feelings for Eric. They were definitely genuine.
Ayla had confessed her feelings for Eric once… but Megan wasn’t like Ayla. After watching her disappear down the hall, Hadley carried the tray and entered the inner room of the suite. She knocked lightly as she stepped in.
“Don’t come in!” Eric’s voice snapped from inside—sharp and irritated.
Hadley’s brow twitched, but she pushed the door open anyway.
“This is driving me insane!” he muttered, yanking the blanket over his head the moment she entered.
Hadley caught it without a word. With how irritable and volatile Eric had become, it was no surprise his condition had worsened.
Your imagination takes flight on g?lnσνs?com
She didn’t say a word, just placed the tray on the bedside table, unfolded the built-in table from the bed frame, and gently set the tray on top.
The quiet rustle of movement filled the room.
“Tsk!” Even with the blanket pulled over his head, his disdain was unmistakable. His annoyance radiated through the silence.
“Get up.” Hadley’s voice was low. “Megan warmed the soup. Have some.”
“Take it away. You’re driving me crazy—”
Suddenly, the restless lump under the blanket went still. Something felt off. That wasn’t Megan’s voice. Neither would she speak to him like that.
Wait… that voice—
Eric’s heart jumped. In one swift motion, he yanked the blanket down. His eyes widened. His lips parted slightly. He stared—motionless, breath caught. His mouth hung open in disbelief.
Hadley pulled out a chair and settled beside the bed, her expression taut with concern. She stared at Eric, brows knitting in quiet frustration. “Why do you let yourself get so worked up?” she muttered. “Didn’t the doctor warn you—again and again—to stay calm and avoid emotional stress?”
She knew his outburst today had partly been triggered by her… and yet, seeing how easily he unraveled made her realize how short-tempered he really was.
.
.
.