“No.” Hadley shook her head, her mind drifting to deeper reflections.

“I was just thinking—you do follow your brother’s lead.”

“Yes.” Eric acknowledged this without the slightest hesitation.

“Isn’t that how it should be? He’s my brother, after all.” He continued, his voice carrying traces of old gratitude.

“When I got lost as a child, it was Ernest who found me, brought me back to the Flynn family, and raised me. I’ve spent more time with the Flynn family than with the Scott family. To me, Ernest is both a father and a brother.”

He tapped his temple with a gentle finger.

“I may have lost my memory, but I haven’t lost my conscience.”

Hadley absorbed his words in thoughtful silence. Her heart swelled with conflicting emotions as buried memories began to surface. Back then, they had just exchanged vows and begun their married life. Not long afterward, Ernest had suffered that devastating accident. Eric had been thrust into the demanding role of the Flynn family heir, suddenly buried beneath mountains of responsibility. He had told her countless times that he needed to protect everything his brother had left behind—the Flynn family, Linda, and their child.

Hadley nodded in understanding, withdrew her gaze from him, leaned back in her seat, set down her backpack, and retrieved her phone. She swiped across the screen and dialed Melba’s number. The situation had developed so suddenly that she hadn’t found time to inform her family.

“Hello, Hadley.” Melba’s familiar voice came through the speaker.

“Melba.” Hadley’s first concern was for her brother.

“Is Brady up?”

“He’s up.” Melba’s voice carried gentle concern.

“He doesn’t seem to be in good spirits. He got up late, and when I asked if he wanted to go out today, he declined…”

Hadley recognized that her brother was struggling with low spirits. He probably wasn’t in the right headspace to deal with work anytime soon.

“Melba, something urgent has come up. I need to leave Srixby for a few days. Please take care of Joy and manage things around the house while I’m away. I’ll call Brady later myself.”

“Of course.” Melba had grown accustomed to her busy schedules and sudden departures.

“Don’t worry about anything.”

After ending the call, Hadley dialed Brady’s number.

“Brady…”

The siblings spoke for quite some time. Hadley offered comfort to her brother first, then gently asked him to stay at her house on Jewel Avenue for a few days to help look after Joy.

“Brady, I’m counting on you to take care of Joy. I’ll video call her tonight, okay?”

She offered a few more words of reassurance before ending the call. Hadley tucked her phone away and released a soft sigh. Her brother had sounded completely listless during their conversation. Perhaps spending time with Joy might lift his spirits somewhat.

Eric had listened in thoughtful silence. He suspected that the “Joy” she mentioned was likely her daughter—the precious little girl who had once wrapped her arms around him and called him Daddy, so beautiful and endearing.

Speaking of which, who was the girl’s actual father? He had never heard his brother mention having another child besides Locke. Eric’s throat constricted with unspoken questions. He wanted to ask but couldn’t summon the courage. Instead, he retrieved his phone and sent Phillips a message to inform him of his whereabouts.

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