Ellis’ eyes shifted, his hesitation plain.
“What is it?” Hadley pressed, her tone growing sharper.
“Did you find him? Is Eric inside?”
Before anyone could stop her, she shoved past Ellis and rushed in.
“Hadley!” Ellis lunged forward, but she slipped past him before he could reach her.
The noise drew Ernest from inside, and he hurried out to see what was happening.
“Hadley!” He held his arms out in front of her, brows drawn together, his words catching in his throat.
“Ernest?” Hadley tilted her head, her eyes sharp on him. Her voice was fragile.
“Why are you stopping me?”
Ernest’s gaze dropped, unwilling to meet her questioning stare.
“Tell me!” Hadley’s voice sharpened as she jabbed a finger toward the doorway.
“Eric is in there, isn’t he?”
Avoidance was no longer an option—she was bound to find out. Ernest could only give a heavy nod.
Frustration flared as Hadley stomped the floor.
“Then why are you blocking me?!”
Her hands gripped his arms firmly.
“What’s wrong with him? What happened to him?”
A flicker of dread passed through her. Could it be as she feared—that something terrible had occurred?
“Is he—”
“No!” Ernest shook his head, frowning deeply.
“Eric is fine!”
“What?”
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Confusion flashed across her face. If he was truly fine, why was he stopping her?
“Hadley…” Ernest gripped her gently, shaking his head as if he could barely hold himself steady.
“Please, just don’t go in. Hear me out…”
“Why not?!” Hadley’s neck stiffened, tension spreading through her body.
“Is there something in there I’m not allowed to see?”
Ernest stayed quiet, his silence heavy.
That confirmed her suspicion.
But the thought of what it could be made her chest tighten. Hadley refused to wait any longer.
“Ernest, let me go! I need to see him!”
“Hadley, just listen!” Ernest held firm, refusing to let her pull away.
“Ernest!”
For a heartbeat, neither budged, the tension between them almost tangible.
“Wait here. Eric will be out soon—”
The words died as the door behind them swung open—someone was emerging.
Eric led the way at the front of the group.
“Eric?” Hadley froze in the middle of her struggle, her eyes locking onto him in disbelief.
.
.
.