At this moment, Hadley was unusually unstable. Her emotions were quick to rise and spill over.

“How about this? I’ll ask Tamara to look into it. She can find out if anyone’s been following us. Does that sound good?” Eric coaxed her.

“Yes!” Hadley nodded at once. “I really feel like someone’s there!”

“I believe you.” Eric grasped her cold hands. “I believe everything you say. Leave it to me. Let’s just go home for now, alright?”

“Oh, okay…”

Eric kept her close as they walked out of the hospital. Still, she kept glancing over her shoulder, as if something unseen refused to let her go.

When they returned to Jewel Avenue, Joy was wide awake. She ran after Melba and peeked into every corner, searching for her mother.

Hadley steadied herself and climbed the stairs. “Joy, my little baby, Mommy’s back…”

Downstairs, Tamara walked over to Eric to give her report. “Mr. Scott, I’ve checked everywhere. There’s no sign of anyone suspicious back in the hospital.”

“Alright.” Eric nodded, though a line of worry cut across his brow. “Don’t tell Hadley about this.”

He resolved to handle this on his own.

“Understood.” Tamara nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. It appeared Hadley was starting to see things again.

It didn’t come as a shock. Her health hadn’t completely recovered, and everything that happened with Elissa had only made it worse. A relapse, or even a further decline, was all too possible.

After breakfast, Eric made sure Hadley and Joy were settled before leaving Jewel Avenue.

He drove straight to the Srixby Gulf Bridge.

Ernest still stood there, refusing to leave. He stood right at the edge, his eyes locked on the restless sea below. The rescue teams had already rotated through several shifts, working without pause.

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“Did he take any break?” Eric asked Quentin, his gaze fixed on Ernest’s back.

“No,” Quentin replied, shaking his head. “Since he woke up last night, he hasn’t closed his eyes once.”

Just as Eric expected. He walked closer and took in the sight of Ernest’s ashen face, the heavy dark circles dragging down his eyes, and the angry red veins running through them.

With a weighted tone, he advised, “Go back now, Ernest. You need to get some rest.”

No one could endure that kind of torment. In the end, they were only human.

“I’m fine.” Ernest didn’t even glance at Eric and merely shook his head stiffly. “I have to stay here. I have to wait for Elissa. I need to hold her in my arms the moment—”

“Ernest!” Eric seized his shoulder, bracing himself for what might come. “Elissa isn’t coming back.”

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