Well… Ernest felt completely helpless. He swallowed, struggling to think of what to say.
“The last time we talked about this, I thought…” He rubbed his forehead in frustration.
“This is my fault. I should’ve told you everything right away.”
“You’re not to blame.” Hadley’s head dropped. Her voice sounded hollow.
“Even if you had explained it all… what difference would it make?”
Nothing could change the fact that Eric had wiped her from his memory. A sharp ache pulsed behind Hadley’s eyes. She pressed her hand to her forehead, trying to block it out.
“Hadley!” Ernest rushed to steady her, catching her before she could fall.
“You need to lie down!”
He turned to Nelson for help.
“Hadley isn’t feeling well. Could you help us find a quiet spot where she can rest?”
“No problem!” Nelson responded quickly, understanding the connection between Hadley and Colleen.
“She can use Colleen’s room and rest there for a—”
“Thank you,” said Ernest, his concern clear. He glanced down at Hadley.
“Is your headache getting worse?”
His mind drifted back to when Chelsey, under Linda’s orders, had poisoned Hadley and left her with lasting nerve damage. She had been taking medication and going through rehab for months. She had mostly recovered, but tonight’s emotional turmoil had likely set off another episode.
“It hurts a little,” she whispered.
“Just lean on me.”
“Alright.”
They walked together, and after a short while, Eric and Megan appeared coming from the other direction, walking side by side.
? .
“Ernest.”
Eric’s face tightened with worry as he noticed Hadley leaning against Ernest. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, holding back the words. He convinced himself that he had no right to be concerned about his brother’s woman.
Ernest didn’t say a word to either Eric or Megan. He kept moving, guiding…
Hadley away.
Colleen’s room was empty when they arrived. Hadley sank onto the sofa and allowed herself to rest, feeling the tension slowly slip away.
Ernest still hovered nearby, anxious.
“Do you want me to call a doctor?”
“No need.” Hadley shook her head. She truly felt alright at this point.
He tried to guess the reason behind her refusal.
“Is it being here at the Hayes residence that’s making things awkward for you? Should I take you home and ask the doctor to meet us there instead?”
Hadley sat up straighter, a worried look on her face.
“No, really, you don’t have to. I’m fine. Today is Brady’s big day. I don’t want to spoil anything for him.”
“Okay.” Only then did Ernest recall why he had come that evening. Hadley hardly ever reached out for his help. Since he saw himself as her big brother, he felt responsible for handling this properly.
Ernest lifted his wrist and glanced at his watch. There was still plenty of time. He had arrived earlier than usual, mostly because of her.
.
.
.