“So what now, Ernest? Are you thinking of visiting her?”

Ernest shook his head.

“No, I’m not.”

She had expected nothing else. After what happened to Elissa, Ernest would never see Linda again.

So what was he getting at?

Ernest explained, choosing his words carefully, “If none of us go, Mayo Hospital will stick with conservative treatment. In other words…”

Linda would be left to whatever fate decided. There was a good chance she wouldn’t make it.

Hadley clamped her lips together, lost for words.

Ernest’s voice was gentle.

“I just thought you should know.”

Hadley let her eyes fall shut, weighed down by emotion. Tears gathered, wetting her eyelashes.

Linda’s life was nearly over.

And she should have celebrated this news. Yet, Hadley could hardly breathe.

How could someone responsible for so much pain be allowed to slip away so easily? It almost felt like she was running from justice.

Drawing a shaky breath, Hadley said, “I need time to think.”

“Of course,” Ernest replied, his tone calm.

“Take all the time you need. There’s no hurry.”

If nothing changed, things would simply stay as they were.

“Alright.”

Hadley left the study and made her way back to her room.

After a long pause, she picked up her phone and dialed Savannah.

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“It’s me, Mrs. Brown. I need to tell you something.”

Hadley ended the call after a lengthy conversation with Savannah, let out a slow exhale, and then rang Ernest.

“Ernest, I’ve made my decision. I’m heading to Ontmond.”

“Hadley.” Ernest summoned Hadley back to the study, this time with Eric present.

“Are you sure about this?”

Hadley met his gaze and answered, “Yes. I’ve made up my mind.”

She would go and sign the papers for Linda’s surgery. Letting Linda die now would mean all her wrongdoings would go unpunished. That wasn’t justice.

Hadley wanted Linda to survive, to endure everything, and finally answer for what she had done.

“Okay.” Ernest nodded in agreement, clearly sensing what Hadley had in mind.

“I respect your choice. I’ll have Quentin handle the travel arrangements for you.”

“Ernest, what is this about?” Eric watched them, puzzled, unable to grasp what was happening or what the conversation was really about.

Eric stared at the two of them, completely lost.

“Where are you going, Hadley?”

Hadley hesitated, caught off guard and not sure how to answer him.

Ernest turned to Eric and asked plainly, “Would you be willing to go with Hadley?”

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