“This won’t go on forever!” Ernest looked at her, the guilt weighing heavily on him.

He pulled her into his arms, his voice soft against her ear. “Didn’t I tell you? Just wait a little longer. Just give me a little more time.”

“No, no…” Elissa leaned limply against his shoulder. Her voice came out faint, nearly broken. “I don’t want this. Not your love. Not a relationship like this. I don’t want any of it.”

She tried to hold back her surging emotions, but they spilled over. “NO!” The cry tore from her throat—raw and anguished.

“Elissa!”

Not too far from the hospital room, Hadley had just turned to leave with Eric.

But the cry stopped her cold. She spun around, moving toward the door.

“Hadley!” Eric stepped forward and grabbed her arm.

“It’s Elissa!” she said urgently. “Didn’t you hear her? She’s crying!”

“I heard,” Eric replied, steady.

“Then why are you stopping me?” Hadley tried to pull away. “Let go! I have to check on her!”

But Eric didn’t let go. “And what will you do once you’re inside?”

Hadley hesitated. Her mouth opened, but no words came.

Because he was right.

What could she possibly do?

Could she make things better? Could she take Elissa’s pain away?

“What do I do then?” she whispered. She clutched her hands together. “I have to think of something. I have to do something! If this keeps going, Elissa will fall apart. She won’t make it through this.”

She moved toward the door again.

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“Don’t!” Eric caught her, firmer this time.

He shook his head, his voice low but certain. “Don’t step in. Let me handle it.”

Huh? Hadley stared at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Let’s get out of here. We’ll find a quiet place and talk.”

“Alright.”

They stopped in a quiet corner.

Eric held her hand tightly, his tone turning serious. “Listen to me. For Joy’s sake — don’t get involved. If you do and end up crossing Ernest, and something happens to me later…”

Hadley’s shoulders tensed. She looked at him, her chest tightening.

“Let me finish.” He smiled faintly. “If Ernest gets mad and turns his back on you and I’m no longer around, who’s going to protect you when you’re in trouble? Brady? He’s a good man, no doubt, but there’s only so much he can do.” He paused briefly. “I get it. You’re worried. So am I. But I’ll handle it. I’ll find a way to help Elissa.”

“But…” Hadley frowned, taken aback. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll retaliate against you if he finds out?”

“Of course I am.” Eric gave a dry laugh. “But I can’t keep watching you like this.” He let out a sigh. “Well, in that case… I’ll do what I have to do despite everything.”

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