“That’s Hadley!”
The security detail was caught off guard, scrambling to hold back the reporters and barely managing to keep them at a distance.
Despite their efforts, the media’s excitement only grew stronger.
“Hadley! You just got out of the police station! Is it true you stabbed Linda—Eric’s former lover—because you were jealous?”
Upon hearing that, all the color drained from Hadley’s face. A sleepless night weighed on her, nerves frayed from fear and worry. All of it traced back to Linda.
“Hadley!” Another reporter leaned in with a microphone. “Do you have anything to say? Are you admitting to what happened? Tell us the truth! Did you really do it?”
“You and Linda have never gotten along. Did things finally reach a breaking point? Hadley—”
“Step back!” Eric’s voice rang out above the commotion, his face hardening like a thundercloud.
He wrapped one arm protectively around Hadley, tucking her close to his chest and blocking her from the swarm of cameras. With his free hand, he jabbed at the microphones crowding in. “Hadley hasn’t broken any laws! Everyone needs to clear out—now!”
Instantly, the reporters turned their attention toward him.
“If she isn’t able to comment, would you answer instead? Is it true you’re still hung up on Linda?”
“You and Linda have a history going back more than ten years. Didn’t you love her once? Is it really possible for you to let go of all those feelings?”
“When it comes to Hadley and Linda, who really matters to you? Who do you love more?”
Eric’s patience snapped. Frustration burned in his eyes, his anger impossible to miss. Practically shouting, he made himself clear. “Forget all that talk about new love or old love! From beginning to end, Hadley is the only woman I love!”
He swept his icy stare across the reporters, his tone sharp. “Get out of here.”
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“Is that really so?” one reporter wouldn’t back down. “Then why were you spotted at Srixby General Hospital last night?”
Hadley jerked her head up, eyes wide in disbelief as she looked at him. The reporter pushed further. “Last night, Hadley was still in custody. The only person at the hospital was Linda. Were you there for her? Does this prove you’re still hung up on Linda?”
“Hadley!” Eric’s mind blanked at the reporter’s accusation. Without thinking, he looked down at Hadley, searching for the right words. “It’s not what you’re imagining…” He shook his head, trying to explain.
“Let go!” Hadley’s eyes burned with fury as she thrashed in his arms, her voice shaky with hurt. “I said, let go of me!”
She fought with everything she had, but Eric’s grip kept her from breaking away. Worried she might hurt herself, Eric gave in. “Alright! I’ll let you go. Please, just stop fighting.”
As soon as his arms loosened, Hadley tore herself free and sprinted off without a backward glance.
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