“Linda.” Standing her ground, Hadley met Linda’s stare. “You’re not coming in—not while I’m standing here.”

A mocking laugh escaped Linda as she crossed her arms. “Protecting someone like her? That woman’s nothing but a shameless home-wrecker. You must be the same!”

Those biting words left Hadley momentarily speechless as memories surged.

Curiosity sparked, and she examined Linda’s face intently.

Without warning, Hadley spoke up. “You do recognize me, don’t you?” That question made Linda flinch, and her answer stumbled out. “Obviously, I remember. You’ve shown up plenty of times! You’re always so aggressive. There’s nothing good about you!”

That remark made Hadley’s expression darken. A sly grin crept onto her face as she fixed Linda with a steady look. “Are you really going to act like you don’t get it? We’ve shared more confrontations than you care to admit. Our rivalry has lasted for years—longer than most people realize.”

A low, humorless laugh escaped Hadley’s lips. “There isn’t much about you that surprises me anymore.”

No doubt lingered in Hadley’s mind; she understood Linda in ways that even Ernest and Eric never could.

“Gratitude might cloud Ernest’s and Eric’s judgment, but I’m not so easily fooled! There’s nothing wrong with your mind, and you know it.” Hadley spoke with conviction. “You’re faking this insanity to cover up your losses. You just want everyone else to suffer since you’ve got nothing left. You tore Eric and me apart before. Now you’re aiming to ruin things between Elissa and Ernest, too!”

Shock flashed across Linda’s face as her mouth fell open. She shook her head in denial. “I have no idea what you’re accusing me of!”

Frustration spilled from her lips. “You’re making all of this up just to block me from seeing Elissa, aren’t you?”

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Ignoring Hadley’s presence, Linda lunged forward to grab her. “Get out of the way! Move it! I need to get inside!”

As Linda spoke, she forcefully shoved the wheelchair forward, undeterred by the risk. “Move or I’ll run you down! If you end up hurt, you’ve only got yourself to blame—not me!”

“Go ahead, then!” Hadley’s anger flared as she leaned forward, grasping both armrests of the wheelchair. “Show me if you can push past someone who’s standing right in front of you!”

“If you’re so tough, don’t back down now!”

“You wanted a challenge? I’m right here!”

“Hadley…”

“Miss Harris!”

Off to the side, Tamara and Jane exchanged worried glances. Given the standing of both women, neither wanted to see a confrontation turn dangerous. An unspoken tension filled the hallway as the standoff dragged on. “Hadley!”

That voice sliced through the tension, causing Hadley and Linda to lift their heads at once.

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