Expressions passed over Hadley’s face as she tried to decide what to do. Eventually, she crossed the room and sat down on the couch.

Without a word, she rested her backpack on her lap and subtly angled one arm behind it. Her fingers crept toward the rear zipper, careful not to draw attention. Tucked inside was a small compartment where she kept her phone.

Years of habit guided her hands as she unlocked it without glancing down. Although the screen remained hidden, she remembered exactly where the call icon sat—far left on the toolbar. Eric’s name was still at the top of her recent calls.

Keeping her posture neutral, Hadley drew in a quiet breath. She gently tapped the call button, then quickly slid her hand out of sight, hugging the bag against her chest like it meant nothing. It didn’t take more than half a minute, but to Hadley, it dragged on like an eternity. Her chest tightened with each passing second.

Trying to compose herself, Hadley turned to Linda and said, “So? Whatever it is you want to say—just say it.”

In her mind, she was certain Eric had already answered the call. That meant anything Linda revealed from this point forward wouldn’t be lost. She silently hoped he’d think to record it. There was an unspoken trust between them—one she counted on now.

“Alright,” Linda said, letting out a light laugh and giving a slow nod. Instead of speaking further, she casually lifted her hand and gestured toward the fruit platter on the coffee table.

Her eyes didn’t leave Hadley as she said, “I’m craving an apple. Why don’t you peel one for me?”

That threw Hadley completely off balance. She stared, unsure if she’d heard correctly. “Come again?”

“Oh, so you’re refusing?” A lazy toss of her hair followed. Linda scoffed, unimpressed. “In that case, I’ve got nothing more to say.”

No words came from Hadley. She just sat there, feeling like she’d been roped into something absurd.

“Alright.” Hadley gave a brief nod, grabbed an apple from the tray, and opened the drawer underneath to take out a fruit knife. Brushing off the ridiculousness of it all, she spoke firmly. “Now will you get to the point?”

? ?ν[.]

“Thanks. So then—where should I begin? Do I start with Chelsey or Ayla?”

At the sound of those names, Hadley froze, the blade hovering in place. “You were involved with them? It was you all along?”

“Yep.” Linda straightened her back, her expression full of unbothered pride. “I’m not denying it. That was me.”

Hadley couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that Linda had confessed so easily. A wave of disbelief hit her. “You! I knew you were the one!”

Fury built like a storm inside her. For a flash, she almost hurled the knife and leapt at her. Still, she managed to restrain herself. Getting her hands dirty over someone like Linda wasn’t part of the plan. What mattered more was gathering undeniable proof.

Swallowing the fury that clawed at her chest, Hadley returned to peeling the apple, her voice low and sharp. “Are you even aware of what you’re saying? Do you actually hear yourself right now?”

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