“I promise I will.” Eric nodded like an obedient child.

So this was her way of telling him no, wasn’t it? He realized with a sinking heart that she was essentially rejecting any future meetings.

It made perfect sense when he thought about it logically. She had only rushed to his side because he’d collapsed and scared everyone.

Even though she now understood the truth—that there was absolutely nothing romantic happening between Megan and him—that knowledge didn’t change their fundamental situation. Their separation hadn’t been caused by Megan’s presence in the first place.

So naturally, their relationship wouldn’t magically transform just because that one misunderstanding had been cleared up.

Hadley stepped outside, suddenly remembering something important and turning back to face him with a slight pivot. “Oh, before I forget… Starting first thing tomorrow morning, I’ll be participating in the film crew’s intensive training program. This time around, it’s taking place in Srixby… Well, that’s it. I really do need to get going now.”

She completed her turn and pulled the door closed behind her with a soft click. Eric stood there, feeling completely bewildered, and then turned to Phillips with genuine confusion written all over his face. “Why do you think Hadley would bother telling me something like that?”

“Wait a minute…” Eric’s pulse quickened as he inhaled deeply. “Hadley was giving me a sign, wasn’t she? She actually wants to see me. That’s what she meant, right?”

As if convincing himself, he nodded with growing excitement. “Of course! That’s exactly it!”

Still needing reassurance, he turned toward Phillips. “You caught that too, didn’t you? I didn’t just imagine it?”

“You didn’t imagine anything,” Phillips replied with an amused grin.

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From his perspective, that was exactly how it seemed—and frankly, it made perfect sense.

With a calm tone, Phillips continued, “She wouldn’t have brought it up at all unless she meant it. After all, she knows that with Tamara around, you always know what’s happening around her.”

“That’s right!” Eric burst into laughter, energized by the thought, and began heading up the stairs.

“I’d better get to bed. Hadley told me to get proper rest!” he muttered to himself, grinning as he whistled down the hall.

Phillips remained still, quietly watching him go. Something about Eric felt different tonight—lighter.

And if what the doctor said about emotions affecting health held, then today had probably done him a world of good.

Out of nowhere, a memory surfaced in Phillips’ mind. He had once read about a cancer patient who abandoned standard treatment to focus entirely on emotional healing and positive energy. What happened next was astonishing—

The patient had recovered completely, without a single medical procedure. As he stood in silence, Phillips couldn’t help but wonder… could something just as extraordinary happen for Eric?

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