At the doorway, Eric slowed his steps and turned toward her.

“Hadley, about Ellis… I need to apologize. I acted without thinking.”

Hadley’s face stiffened. An apology from him was the last thing she expected.

Could it be because he had seen her with Ellis earlier?

“I spoke with Ernest about it,” Eric admitted, his eyes holding on to her.

“Ellis comes from a respectable family. He probably isn’t chasing after your money.”

As for the rest…

“Even so…”

Unease clouded his gaze, heavy and persistent.

“You ought to take your time with him. Learn what kind of man he is, his nature and his heart. Don’t rush things. Choosing a life partner is serious. Just don’t…”

His words faltered, caught in his throat.

“Don’t repeat a mistake the way it happened with us.”

Her breath caught.

A mistake?

Was he really speaking of what had happened between them?

Hadley stared at him, her eyes misting as her chest tightened.

“I’m sorry.” Eric gave a hollow laugh.

“I can’t recall how terrible I used to be, but I know I must have hurt you. So all I can do now is apologize. Still, Hadley…”

He paused, the next words slower, gentler.

“I truly hope you find happiness.”

“I will.” A faint smile curved on Hadley’s lips.

Eric’s laughter was faint, his eyes resting on her before he turned away.

Stay connected at g?lnσν?s?c?m

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

He forced his feet to move, carrying the weight of his heart with him.

“Alright…” Hadley whispered as she watched his back retreat. She closed the door slowly.

Her body rested against the wooden frame, and a heaviness pressed down on her chest.

She murmured, “Eric, the truth is, I haven’t accepted Ellis.”

Ellis’ love was something she had never truly embraced, at least not yet. Yet if she tried to explain that to Eric now, it might sound as though she were implying more than she meant.

Outside, Eric had only taken a few steps before stopping abruptly. He turned back, staring at the warm glow from inside the house.

For a fleeting moment, it felt as though someone had called out to him.

He strained to listen, but only silence answered, and the soft night wind slipped past his ears. The lights ahead seemed to waver.

Eric pressed his hand to his temple, frowning. Why was his head spinning again? Hadn’t the doctor assured him that his recovery was complete?

When morning came, Hadley made her way to the hospital.

Her errand was for Nyla’s medicine. Joy’s treatment had already been discontinued by Dr. Nixon, who said only two check-ups a year were needed from now on.

Nyla’s prescription, however, was tightly regulated, requiring both a doctor’s signature and a family member’s signed approval.

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