“He does… in his way.” Colleen hesitated before answering, a faintly bitter smile on her lips.

It wasn’t a lack of gratitude. It was that she couldn’t forget Brady’s deep affection for her. Every person who came after could never measure up.

The man in glasses stood waiting, shifting his glance toward them now and then while checking his watch again and again.

Hadley picked up on it.

“I shouldn’t hold you up.”

“Hadley!” Colleen reached out suddenly and caught her hand.

“What is it?”

“This…” Colleen’s voice trembled as she pleaded, her throat tightening.

“Please don’t let him know.”

There was no need to explain who she meant. It was Brady.

The request left Hadley momentarily stunned.

“But he’ll learn about it sooner or later.”

“I know.” Colleen gave a small nod, her smile faint and strained.

“It’s better if it comes out later. Just promise me you won’t say anything.”

Hadley exhaled, her tone soft.

“Alright, I promise.”

“Thanks!” Colleen’s eyes shone with redness, though she kept smiling.

“I’ll head off now. Let’s set a time soon to go shopping together.”

“Of course.”

Colleen turned away and returned to the man in gold-rimmed glasses.

He slipped an arm around her shoulders, and together they moved toward the hospital entrance.

Hadley stayed rooted in place, watching them vanish from sight before finally lowering her gaze.

Colleen had begged her not to mention it to Brady. In fact, Hadley also couldn’t bear to reveal it to her brother.

Poor Brady. He was still waiting for Colleen without a clue.

Hadley made her way into the outpatient building, saw the doctor, picked up the prescription, and then headed for the pharmacy.

Since this was the VIP wing, the halls were quiet, with few people in sight.

Hadley ended up standing alone at the elevator lobby.

The elevator stopped at her floor. The doors parted with a slow metallic slide.

“Hadley?” A voice called her name gently as the figure stepped out. The sound was warm and low, touched with a husky edge.

It was Eric, and Xander walked just a step behind him.

“Eric?” Hadley’s surprise showed in her voice.

Why was he at the hospital?

Hadley’s first thought immediately went to his condition.

“Are you feeling unwell?” she asked.

“Yes.” Eric gave a short nod.

“A little.”

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