“But you let her go!” Hadley shook her head, her eyes stinging. “She’s gone now. Do you really think she’s coming back? No, she won’t!”

She thought of Abigail—how she’d vanished without a trace after escaping the country.

“And you still want me to believe…” She drew in a sharp breath, shivering. “That you’re not protecting her?”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Eric! How could you lie to me like this?” She turned and bolted up the stairs.

“Hadley!” He ran after her at once. But he was too late.

The master bedroom door slammed shut with a loud bang, closing off everything between them.

“Hadley…” Eric stood outside, his head bowed, completely lost. He could only whisper again and again, “Please believe me. I did this for you…”

Inside, Hadley leaned against the door, listening to the sound of his voice. Her shoulders trembled. A bitter smile crept across her lips, but no sound escaped her. At this point, she didn’t know anymore—she didn’t know if she could believe him at all.

The next morning, Hadley came downstairs with Joy, their hands linked. Eric was nowhere in sight.

“Hadley,” Tamara offered gently. “Mr. Scott had to leave early. He went to Orkmont around seven. He should be back by noon.”

“Alright.” Hadley nodded, then lifted Joy and settled her into her booster chair. She smoothed down her daughter’s hair, a small smile on her lips. “Time for breakfast.”

“Mommy, you too!”

“I will.”

After breakfast, Joy’s governess arrived. Hadley handed her over, checked the time, and then turned to Tamara. “I’m heading out.”

“Where to?” Tamara asked.

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“To see Elissa,” she answered.

Tamara paused but gave a small nod. “Alright. I’ll have the driver bring the car around.”

“Okay.” Hadley returned the nod.

She changed into fresh clothes, picked up her bag, and waited by the door. Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Eric: “I’ll be back by noon. Sorry I missed breakfast—urgent business call. Let’s have lunch together.”

She stared at the screen, unmoved. Then she turned it off and slipped it into her bag.

Elissa’s ashes hadn’t been buried yet. For now, there was only a memorial plaque at the cemetery.

On the way there, Hadley stopped to buy fresh flowers—white lilies, Elissa’s favorite. She walked quietly through the cemetery and stopped in front of the plaque. Gently, she laid the bouquet down and lit a small candle.

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