“A nightmare?” Hadley let out a low, bitter laugh. “I told you already—I didn’t do it. I have nothing to be afraid of.”

Eric faltered. His voice softened, reaching for calm. “But can’t you see? You need rest. You need to heal.”

“I don’t need anything except justice.” She tilted her head, her eyes steady and hard. “I can’t just let Linda walk free. I’m like this because of her. I barely survived—but Elissa… she didn’t. That was a life, Eric. She was my friend.” Her voice thinned. As the words left her, her breath grew shallow. Her face had gone pale.

Eric stepped in to steady her, his thoughts spinning fast.

He tried again. “Listen. We both know what Linda did, but the police don’t have enough to charge her. If even they can’t convict her, she isn’t worth what you’re putting yourself through.”

He met her gaze. “You’re what matters to me. And if you keep going like this, you’re going to collapse. What about Joy? You’re barely home now. Maybe you can keep this from her for a day—but not forever.” Every word was meant for her. Every one, for her sake.

Hadley didn’t move. She just looked at him, quiet and unreadable.

Her silence made his chest tighten. “Hadley. What are you thinking?”

She looked up. Then, softly, she smiled. “Is this really for me?”

Eric blinked, unsure what she meant. “What?”

She half-closed her eyes, one brow lifting slightly. “Are you just trying to spare her? You don’t want her to suffer—do you?”

Her voice sharpened. “Is this whole thing about protecting me… or is it just your excuse to help her escape?”

At that, Eric’s eyes flew wide. “Hadley!”

The meaning behind her words struck him hard. Eric’s face darkened at once. His grip on her hands tightened without thinking. He couldn’t believe she truly thought that of him.

He shook his head, his voice frantic. “No. Hadley, you can’t see me that way.”

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“Then how should I see you?” She suddenly stood, pulling free of his grasp. Her breaths came fast. Her eyes had gone distant, unfocused.

“She’s the one who’s innocent? She’s the one who’s guilty. She’s the murderer. She’s the one who’s hurt me again and again.” Hadley stared at him, backing away. “And now you’re telling me—what? That you let her go to protect me? That’s ridiculous.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “Do you even hear yourself? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Hadley!” Eric stood up too. He stepped forward, reaching for her. “Let the police handle the investigation!” His voice strained as he tried to reason with her. “You know she worked with Gifford, but he’s missing, and there’s no solid proof that points directly to her. Even the police can’t hold her without it. We don’t have to keep dragging this out—especially not at the cost of your own health.”

He moved toward her, but she kept stepping back.

“Please, listen to me!” His voice dropped; his face was full of helplessness. “Let the people trained for this do their job. Linda committed a crime; the police will investigate, and the courts will decide what happens. You don’t need to carry this alone. You need to take care of yourself.” He reached out again.

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