Cristian gave a nod. “Alright. Let’s begin.”

Given the circumstances, bail wasn’t possible. Hadley would have to stay at the station for forty-eight hours.

As they stepped outside, Cristian spoke quietly. “Mr. Scott, I’ll do everything I can.” He tried to offer some reassurance. “At least Hadley kept her composure. She’s been strong and cooperative the whole time.”

But Eric felt no comfort. His voice was firm. “Put everything else aside. I want your full attention on Hadley’s case. She walks out of this untouched.”

“Understood,” Cristian said, nodding.

Even so, Eric didn’t make it through the full forty-eight hours.

Later that night, long after midnight, with Hadley locked in the station, he couldn’t sleep. After settling Joy for the night, he went back to the room he had shared with Hadley. He lay alone on the bed, a cigarette resting between his fingers. He flicked the lighter once, and then again, tempted to strike a flame.

He couldn’t bring himself to do it.

In his mind, Hadley’s voice echoed—pouting, half-serious: “Go ahead. Light it, and see what happens. I told you smoking will kill you someday!”

Eric let out a soft chuckle. “I wouldn’t dare. How could I?” With a quiet squeeze, he crushed the cigarette in his hand.

His phone rang. He answered.

“Mr. Scott, it’s me.”

It was Cristian.

“What happened?” Eric picked up right away, unease already tightening in his chest.

“Mr. Scott, the police just called in,” Cristian said quickly. “Hadley’s burning up with a fever!”

The moment it worsened, Hadley was rushed to the closest hospital. Cristian made it there before Eric did.

Verified and published at g ln ovels.

Eric didn’t arrive alone—he brought Phillips along, and with them came Kim Brooks, the physician who had been handling Hadley’s care all this time. “Where is she?” Eric’s voice cut through the corridor as he pushed forward, not slowing his pace for a second.

“She’s just down that hall—in the private room at the very end!” Cristian filled him in quickly as they moved. “I spoke with the doctor here earlier. The tests came back clean. They think it’s caused by extreme stress on her nerves.” That news made Eric falter, his steps stalling for a second. He swallowed hard before forcing himself to move again.

At the end of the corridor, two uniformed officers stood guard by the door. They gave Eric a brief nod as he drew near. Saying nothing, Eric kept his expression blank.

Peering through the small glass panel, he spotted Hadley lying motionless on the hospital bed. One arm was tethered to an IV; the other was shackled to the railing.

The sight made his blood boil. “Is this how you treat someone who hasn’t even been convicted? She has her rights!”

.

.

.