From the rearview mirror, Eric watched Hadley’s silhouette vanish into the house. His heart writhed as if someone had driven a knife through it. He had been genuinely elated that they could be together again this time. He had convinced himself repeatedly that simply existing in her orbit was enough. But now, witnessing how effortlessly she seemed prepared to cast him aside, he simply couldn’t swallow the bitter pill of rejection. How could she remain so completely indifferent to him?
After all, human hearts were insatiable, weren’t they? He had once only craved her presence, but now he also hungered for her heart.
Hadley stepped through the threshold into the house. The day was still young. Upstairs, Joy was absorbed in her lesson with her governess.
Hadley had deliberately left Joy behind when she ventured out that morning because of Locke. Joy and Locke, the two children, had been maintaining their connection. According to Joy, Locke remained oblivious to what had befallen Elissa. To prevent unwanted complications, Hadley had chosen to leave Joy behind as well.
With Joy occupied upstairs in class, Hadley retrieved a script and settled into the sunroom downstairs, leafing through its pages. But Eric’s furious expression and the way he had confronted her earlier kept invading her thoughts like unwelcome ghosts.
Reflecting with a clearer mind, she recognized she had indeed acted too rashly, trampling over his feelings without consideration. Lately, Elissa’s death had been crushing her spirit.
Lost in her turbulent thoughts, she couldn’t absorb a single word from the script. She lifted her phone and contemplated sending Eric a message, but no matter how she crafted the words, they felt inadequate and hollow. Wavering, she set the phone down again. And so, she repeated this maddening cycle over and over.
“Hadley.” Melba suddenly entered, worry etched deep into her features.
“What’s wrong?” Hadley immediately abandoned the script and shot to her feet.
“There…” Melba was slightly breathless and gestured toward the door. “There are two police officers at the door.”
Discover the rest on oν?
What?
Hadley’s blood turned to ice, her face contracting with alarm as she rushed toward the entryway. Before departing, she commanded Melba, “Go upstairs and stay with Joy. Don’t let her come down!”
If the police had arrived at her doorstep, it couldn’t possibly be good news. She refused to let Joy witness this terrifying scene and become traumatized.
“Got it!” Melba bobbed her head frantically and bolted upstairs.
Hadley drew in a steadying breath and marched to the door. At the entrance stood two police officers, with Tamara positioned beside them in conversation.
“Officers,” Hadley said as she advanced toward them, her voice composed. “May I ask what brings you here?”
“You’re Hadley Pearson?”
“Yes.”
“We’ve received a complaint and need you to accompany us to the station to assist with an investigation.” One of the officers produced a pair of handcuffs and motioned toward her. “Please cooperate.”
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