“Hadley,” he said, pulling out a chair.

“Sit.”

“Okay.” She nodded faintly, her gaze never leaving Eric.

“Ernest.” Eric greeted him with a small nod.

Time was short, so Ernest wasted none. He updated Eric on the case.

“We’re searching for Bianca and Gifford—no leads yet.”

Eric listened, his brow furrowing.

“Eric.”

Hadley’s voice was soft but firm.

“You didn’t do this. No one can make you the culprit.”

Eric froze, looking straight at her. A faint curve then touched his lips.

“You believe me?”

“Of course!” Her answer was immediate.

“Not just me—Ernest too. All of us believe you!”

“Yes.” Ernest nodded at once.

Eric’s lips curved more fully, his eyes glistening.

Deep down, he knew the odds were stacked against him.

It was his word alone, while all the evidence pointed his way. And truthfully… even he couldn’t swear that he remembered everything, that he hadn’t really killed them.

Yet Ernest and Hadley trusted him without question.

As he fell silent, Hadley reached across the table, clasping his hand.

“Hang in there. Ernest is working day and night. You’ll walk out of this—understand?”

Her reddened eyes shimmered with the weight of unshed tears.

Eric looked down at her pale, slender fingers resting on his. Then, slowly, he turned his hand over and enclosed hers within his.

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His eyes softened.

“Alright. Whatever you say… I’ll follow.”

He studied her closely—the swelling around her eyelids, the web of red veins in her eyes.

His chest tightened with guilt.

“I’m sorry… for putting you through this.”

How useless he felt.

First, he had broken her heart. Now, he was breaking her down again.

Hadley shook her head gently.

“We’re family. Why would you say that?”

“Family…” Eric murmured, his gaze darkening.

“Hey, how’s Joy?”

Her eyes grew redder still. She nodded, then shook her head faintly.

Beside them, Ernest rose silently and slipped out, shutting the door behind him.

“Actually…” Hadley spoke in a low voice.

“Ernest and I haven’t told the family. Nyla and Joy still don’t know.”

The truth would crush them.

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