“Sit down, dear!” she said breezily, waving toward a chair.

“Let’s have a little talk.”

Explaining that she hadn’t come here to chat crossed Hadley’s mind, but the words never left her lips.

Already, the woman had tugged her gently into a chair, her eyes shining with a strangely tender warmth.

Older than Hadley’s mother yet not quite as old as her grandmother, she carried the air of someone maternal. Courtesy won out, and Hadley chose to humor her, at least for the moment.

“You’re such a lovely girl,” the woman said with a fond smile.

“If you don’t mind my asking—are you married?”

A pause stretched before Hadley replied with honesty, “I was. The marriage ended in divorce.”

“So, you’re single now?” The woman’s tone was casual yet curious, showing no trace of shock.

“And… anyone special in your life?”

The question pressed too close, making Hadley shift uneasily.

After a pause, she finally shook her head, her voice quiet.

“No.”

“No?” Surprise flashed across the woman’s face.

“Why not? You’re gorgeous… being divorced doesn’t mean you can’t find love again.”

Hadley offered only a quiet, wordless smile.

“Ah!” The woman grasped her hand suddenly.

“Do you have kids?”

Hadley froze, caught off guard.

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It seemed the woman had guessed correctly.

“Am I right?” The woman leaned closer, her eyes searching.

“A son or a daughter?”

Cornered, Hadley said, “A daughter.”

“Oh! Daughters are a delight!” The woman’s eyes lit up.

“I love little girls—they’re sweet, soft, and so well-behaved!”

The woman’s familiarity pressed in, almost too much.

“And being divorced with a child? That doesn’t mean anything.” She clicked her tongue gently.

“Times have changed. Also, if two people aren’t right for each other, there’s no reason to stay together just for the kids.”

She leaned closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret.

“Wouldn’t it be better to separate early and seek happiness elsewhere?”

Her eyes held Hadley’s steadily, as if reading her thoughts.

“People today are more understanding. Take me, for example—I have a son. As long as he’s happy, I’d support him.” Suddenly, she clapped her hands.

“Honestly, if he brought home someone like you, I’d commend his taste!”

A hint of suspicion crept over Hadley. She began to sense there was more behind the woman’s friendliness.

“By the way…” The woman’s energy seemed endless.

.

.

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