With her robe in hand, Eric made his way toward the house.

Hadley hurried inside, racing up the stairs to the second floor. At the landing, she nearly collided with Ernest.

It was around seven in the morning, just when Ernest usually started his day. They almost bumped into each other.

“Hadley?” Ernest looked surprised. “Did you go swimming?”

“I did,” said Hadley, giving him a small nod. “Good morning, Ernest…”

“Where’s your robe?” Ernest eyed her, puzzled. Without hesitation, he slipped off his own jacket and set it around her shoulders. “You’ll get cold if you’re not careful.”

He glanced at her face, noticing the lingering traces of youth, and let out a quiet sigh. “You’re still just a kid in many ways.”

“Thanks, Ernest,” Hadley murmured, biting her lip. Her mood had clearly soured.

“What happened?” Ernest’s eyes narrowed. He could tell something was wrong. “Are you alright? Tell me.”

“Ernest…” Hadley hesitated, then pointed toward the first floor and whispered, “He’s downstairs.”

Right then, Eric walked through the entrance.

From where he stood, he could see them together at the top of the stairs, though their conversation was lost to him.

All he noticed was how close Ernest and Hadley appeared.

Eric’s hand tightened around her robe before he quietly placed it on the coat rack by the door.

“He?” Ernest repeated, glancing toward the stairs and spotting Eric below.

The sight made everything click—Hadley must have run into Eric earlier.

Although Ernest was caught off guard by Eric’s sudden appearance, he turned to Hadley and said in a gentle voice, “I wasn’t expecting him. This must have been his idea. Don’t stress about it… I’ll go down and send him off. Go back to your room, and I’ll let you know when it’s fine to come out.”

“Okay. Thank you, Ernest.”

? ? : ?

“You’re such a silly,” Ernest chuckled, shaking his head. “You never have to thank me for anything.”

He reached over and ruffled her hair, just as he had when they were younger. “Go on now.”

“Alright!” Hadley replied with a grateful smile before hurrying away to her room.

Ernest watched her leave, letting out a soft sigh. He could see just how determined Hadley was to keep Eric at a distance.

Meanwhile, Eric lingered below, quietly absorbing the scene. An odd mix of emotions churned inside him.

Seeing how comfortable Ernest and Hadley seemed together, he became convinced they were truly a couple.

Suddenly, his mind drifted back to when she had called him a jerk. At the time, he figured she and her daughter had simply mistaken him for someone else.

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