She truly had no idea what would happen once the truth came out—or how they would even begin to handle the fallout.

“Yes, I heard the doctor,” Ferris said calmly. “But he didn’t say when that’ll happen. It could take months. A year. Maybe longer.”

He leaned in slightly, his voice low and persuasive. “This is your chance. Use this time to let Eric truly see you as his partner. Build a real bond. Secure your place as his future wife.”

He paused, a slow smile curling on his lips. “And once he remembers everything… so what? What’s done is done!”

Megan’s heart pounded. She couldn’t deny it—his words were tempting. Incredibly tempting. This might be her only chance.

“Mr. Scott,” she said hesitantly, “isn’t this… unfair?”

“So what if it is?” Ferris shrugged. “All is fair in love and war, if you ask me. Spend time with him. Make him see you. Win his heart.” He gave a knowing smirk. “And when his memories return, who’s to say he won’t choose you over Hadley?”

Truth be told, Ferris had never liked Hadley. To him, she held too much power over Eric’s emotions. Eric had spent too much energy on her—an emotional burden he couldn’t afford. A woman like that, Ferris believed, was a liability.

In Ferris’s eyes, Hadley was nothing but a ticking time bomb. If Eric stayed with her, trouble was bound to follow endlessly.

He had actually given Hadley a chance before. All she had to do was stay by Eric’s side, play the part of a dutiful, supportive wife, and keep him steady. But she had failed him.

Megan, however, was a different story. Loyal, patient, and completely devoted to Eric—Ferris was certain that if the two ended up together, she would be the kind of wife who kept things in order, not stirred them into chaos.

As for love? That wasn’t necessary in a marriage. In fact, Ferris believed loving too deeply would be a mistake. Look at what loving Hadley had cost Eric—heartache, weakness, distraction. Disaster.

The more Ferris mulled it over, the more pleased he became with the idea.

? : ?ν.

“You care about Eric, don’t you?” he asked, his voice low and deliberate. “Has Hadley even bothered to show up since he fell ill?” He leaned in, pressing the point with conviction. “Think about it, Megan. Opportunities like this don’t knock twice.”

Megan’s lips tightened, but she said nothing.

Ferris saw the conflict in her eyes—knew she was torn—and simply waved it off with a casual chuckle.

“Go on back in,” he said with a faint smirk. “Eric still needs someone to look after him. That someone is you.”

“Okay.” Megan gave a small nod. “I’ll head back in. Take care, Mr. Scott.”

When Colleen completed her shift and transferred her responsibilities to her colleagues, Brady arrived to collect her. Together with Hadley, the three of them made their way back to his residence.

Because their journey had taken longer than anticipated, the instant they crossed the threshold into the entryway, Joy’s excited voice reached their ears.

.

.

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