Before they could take a step, Zane moved to block them.

“Zane?”

“Hadley, I’m sorry.” His brows pulled together in a troubled frown, but his tone stayed unyielding.

“I can’t let either of you in tonight. Please, take Brady home.”

“No! Hadley…” Brady’s panic was instant.

“I can’t just walk away! I won’t leave!”

Hadley tried to soothe him.

“Let me try calling Colleen, alright?”

“Yeah, please!”

Hadley reached into her bag, found her phone, and dialed Colleen’s number. The call rang on and on. No one answered.

Brady squeezed his eyes shut, his face turning pale. It was happening again. Colleen was not picking up.

“I mentioned it earlier,” Zane said with a sigh.

“My aunt isn’t feeling well tonight, and Colleen is with her. It’s just not possible at the moment. Please, go home.”

Still…

“Zane, is there really no other way?” Hadley’s voice trembled, hope flickering.

Zane remained silent, only shaking his head.

Hadley felt her hope vanish in an instant.

A sharp crash shattered the quiet. Suddenly, Brady lunged at the Hayes family gate, clutching the iron bars and slamming himself against them over and over.

“Colleen! Please come out! Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes, this is all my fault! I want to say I’m sorry!”

Each time his head struck the gate, the iron rang out—echoing with his

“Desperation. Please, I beg you! Let me explain! Just let me inside!”

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“Brady!” Hadley rushed to his side, grabbing at him in panic.

“Stop it! You’re only going to hurt yourself!”

Brady wouldn’t listen, his blows growing harder.

“Brady!” Hadley called out, her voice breaking, forced to watch as blood started to trickle down his forehead.

Tears burned in her eyes, anger clawing at her from within—Noreen had failed him in every way.

“Zane?” She turned to Zane, pleading.

“Please, help me!”

“Alright!” Zane snapped out of it and grabbed for Brady, trying to pull him back.

“Let go, Brady!”

“I can’t! I won’t leave!” Brady yanked free, his shoulders trembling, blood smearing his skin.

“Brady!” Hadley sobbed, unable to stop her tears.

“Let me handle this.” Eric, silent until now, stepped forward. He raised his arm and struck the back of Brady’s neck with the edge of his hand.

Brady’s eyes lost focus, his body sagging.

“Brady!” Together, Hadley and Zane caught him as he collapsed.

Hadley glared at Eric, her face streaked with tears.

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