As long as Gifford remained out there, Eric knew he wouldn’t find peace.
Over on Jewel Avenue, Hadley gasped the moment she caught sight of Eric’s bruised and bloodied face. Her expression shifted in an instant, her brows knitting with worry. “What on earth happened to you?”
Without delay, she turned and called out, “Get the first aid kit! Hurry!”
Dragging Eric gently toward the sitting room, she opened the kit herself and began cleaning his wounds with shaky hands.
Still visibly anxious, she muttered, “Maybe we should take you to the hospital. This looks bad.”
“I’m fine.” Eric remained still, allowing her to fuss over him. “Really. It’s nothing serious.”
Hadley didn’t look convinced. With a tense expression, she muttered quietly, “Ernest must’ve hit you with everything he had. He really shouldn’t have…”
Amusement flickered across Eric’s face as he tilted his head, one eyebrow rising in response. He spoke up in Ernest’s defense. “He was overwhelmed. His emotions got the best of him. I get it, and it’s not a big deal. Ha… ha…” He even managed a laugh at the end.
That reaction made Hadley squint at him. “What’s so funny now?”
“I’m just glad you’re with me. That alone makes it all feel worth it.” A grin spread across Eric’s face as he gently clasped her hand.
Hadley blinked, then let out an exaggerated scoff and flicked her finger against his forehead. “You sound so dramatic. Don’t you feel wronged at all?”
“Maybe a little, but it’s fine.” With a light shake of his head, Eric smiled. “As long as I’ve got you, nothing else really weighs on me.”
He leaned in close, his voice dropping as his forehead pressed gently to hers. “Will you always stay by my side, no matter what?”
“Hmm…” Hadley gave a playful pout. “That depends. If you treat me right, then yeah… I’ll stay with you forever.”
“Oh no!” Eric gasped in mock horror. “Tough luck for you…”
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“What? Why?” Hadley blinked, caught off guard.
“You’re stuck with me for good. There’s no escape now!” A grin spread across Eric’s face. “Because I plan to spoil you forever and never give you a reason to leave.”
“You’re impossible!” Hadley groaned, her tone caught between irritation and laughter. “Can’t you be serious for once?”
“This is me being serious.” Still holding her hands, Eric kept his forehead gently pressed to hers. “Say you’ll stay. Promise me you won’t ever leave.”
“You sound ridiculous.”
“Come on. Just say it.”
With a reluctant sigh, she caved—because deep down, she meant it. “Fine. We’ll be together forever, no matter what.”
In the days that followed, Eric threw himself into work. Between running the company and searching for Gifford and Elissa, his plate was full.
Amid all the chaos, one thing brought him some peace—Hadley’s condition had steadied. She still felt tired and sleepy at times, but the hallucinations and confusion had stopped entirely.
.
.
.