He tossed the hospital clothes aside with a grimace. “Don’t wear those. They’ll irritate your skin.”

He had brought a bag with her own clothes. “You’re too weak right now. Let me help you change.”

Hadley froze, eyeing the clothes in his hands, her mind struggling to catch up. “Why are you back here?” she asked.

Was this allowed? She was still technically in detention. Did the authorities really permit Eric to visit her so often?

“What?” Eric arched an eyebrow. “You don’t want to see me?”

He moved to help her change, but her wrist was still cuffed to the bedrail.

Frowning, he called out toward the hallway, “Tamara!”

“Yes, Mr. Scott!” Tamara appeared promptly, accompanied by a police officer. The officer approached Hadley, unlocked her cuffs, and offered a warm smile. “Go back and take care of yourself.”

Hadley’s confusion deepened. Go back where?

Before she could ask, Tamara and the officer had already left.

Eric wrapped his arms around her, pressing a soft kiss to her damp forehead, answering her unspoken question. “We’re heading home—to Jewel Avenue.” She could go home now? Why?

Hadley’s mind swirled. Wasn’t she supposed to remain in custody for forty-eight hours?

“Isn’t my release supposed to be tomorrow?”

It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours yet.

“It’s over. We’re going home,” Eric said firmly, unbuttoning her sweat-soaked hospital gown with a concerned frown. “You must feel awful. You can take a nice bath when we get home. Come on, lift your arms.”

“Oh.” Hadley nodded, still dazed. “Cristian’s incredible.” In less than a day, Cristian had secured her release.

g?ν.0; ?

“He is,” Eric replied, pausing briefly without elaborating. He knelt, gently slipping her shoes onto her feet. “All ready. Let’s go. Or do you want me to carry you?”

“I can walk on my own!” Hadley’s cheeks flushed as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and quickly stood.

Eric laughed, his mood visibly lighter. “Then lean on me.”

“Okay.”

Outside the hospital room, Phillips and Tamara waited. Hadley couldn’t shake the nagging sense that something was off.

Back at Jewel Avenue, the house was still.

“Joy has eaten and is napping. I put her to bed,” Eric said as he guided Hadley upstairs.

In the master bedroom, he led her to the bathroom. “While Joy’s asleep, take a long soak in the tub.”

With a playful smirk, he added, “Want me to join you?”

Hadley shot him a look. Why was he so playful today, seizing every chance to tease her?

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