To be frank, Eric’s nature remained inherently harsh and distant, making him exceptionally difficult to handle. Hadley herself had experienced this aspect of his personality far too intimately over the past decade.

“I fear that if you confront him, he might say something deeply wounding,” she added, knowing such words would only intensify Megan’s pain.

“I understand!” Megan’s voice trembled with emotion as she nodded emphatically.

“But I still need to see him, to apologize face-to-face for my mistakes.”

She implored with raw desperation.

“Please help me, just this once, will you?”

Hadley let out a quiet, resigned sigh and nodded slowly.

“Very well, I’ll help you. Follow closely behind me.”

With Hadley leading the way, Megan moved seamlessly into the venue.

“Wait here,” Hadley instructed firmly.

In a secluded corner, Hadley pulled out her phone and composed a message to Eric.

“I’m by the stone monument. Could you come over?”

The message sent successfully.

Eric’s pocket buzzed with the notification. He glanced at it, raising an eyebrow in surprise. His eyes suddenly lit up, bright as fireworks against the night sky.

Hadley was requesting a private meeting with him?

“Excuse me, I need to step away for a moment.”

Eric offered a brief, apologetic smile to those around him and then turned and walked off. He almost broke into a jog. Hadley’s message had mentioned an old stone monument at the island’s abandoned pier.

The place was unusually quiet.

“Hadley?”

Eric scanned the area but didn’t see her. He raised his voice.

“Where are you, Hadley? It’s Eric! Hadley? Hadley…”

“Eric.” A voice called from behind him.

He turned around. The smile on his face disappeared the second he saw who it was.

“Megan?” His frown deepened as his eyes settled on her.

“How did you get in—” He stopped himself. He didn’t need to finish the question. He already knew. It was Hadley.

“Unbelievable.” Eric let out a dry laugh.

“You asked her for help? You’ve got nerve, I’ll give you that.”

Megan flinched, her shoulders visibly tense. Hadley had warned her—Eric wouldn’t be kind.

“You should leave.” His voice hardened.

“Because if I have to call someone to drag you out, that won’t look good on you.” He stepped past her, eager to be gone.

“Eric!” Megan blocked his path, her eyes locked on his.

“Please, just hear me out.”

“What could you possibly say?” He took a step back, not bothering to hide his irritation.

Her voice shook with frustration.

.

.

.