Brady set everything down. “She messaged me. Said she’s on her way.”

“It’s still early. No need to rush.”

“I’ll wait for her at the gate.”

“Hey—” Hadley tried to stop him, but he was already headed out.

Because of family ions, Brady and Colleen kept their relationship under wraps, staying in touch mostly through phone calls. Whenever they wanted to meet, they had to sneak around, often choosing Hadley’s place as their safe haven—a secret romance that felt like something out of Romeo and Juliet.

With the help of the household staff, Hadley prepared drinks and snacks. Before long, she heard voices outside.

“There you are! Are you tired? Thirsty?” Brady asked. “I’ll get you some chilled fruit.”

“Let’s go together,” Colleen replied.

Hand in hand, they made their way to the kitchen.

Hadley met them with a tray of sliced fruit and cold drinks. “Hadley.”

“Hadley.”

“Welcome,” she said warmly, handing the tray to Brady. “You two can hang out in the drawing room or the media room downstairs. Just close the door. No one Will bother you.”

“I’ll call you when lunch is ready.”

“Thanks, Hadley.” Brady accepted the tray without hesitation.

Colleen flushed as she took his arm and gave him a small pinch.

“Ow!” Brady yelped. “That hurt!”

“Does it really?” Colleen laughed, rubbing the spot she pinched. “You act like it hurts. But you’re tough, aren’t you?”

Brady chuckled. “Tough as nails. Pinch me again.”

“What? Are you silly? I thought you said it hurt!”

They walked off together, laughing and teasing each other as they went.

“How am I silly?” Brady grinned. “We hardly get to see each other these days. I’ve got to spoil you while I can, right?”

“You’re right.”

Hadley watched from a distance, her lips curling into a smile. Seeing them that happy made her heart feel lighter.

Downstairs in the basement, Brady and Colleen settled in.

“What do you want to watch?” Brady asked, gesturing toward the shelf. “Hadley’s got quite the collection.”

Now that Hadley had officially entered the entertainment world, watching films had become part of her training.

She’d built up a sizeable library, including rare editions that Eric had sourced when they were still living together at Olisvale Bay.

“New or old? Local or international?”

“Let me see…” Colleen scanned the shelf and picked out a recent suspense thriller. “This one!”

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