?Chapter 56:


    Hadley sensed Eric’s growing suspicion and quickly suggested, “What about tomorrow? Can we dy it by just one day?”


    Eric’s response came as a sharp, cynicalugh.


    “One day bes two, then three, right? You’re just stalling. You never nned on getting the divorce done, did you?”


    “I’m not trying to dy this needlessly,” Hadley protested.


    Eric interjected, “We’re not wasting any more time!”


    He was clearly not interested in excuses. “We’re doing this today. I can’t keep setting aside othermitments for this. My time is valuable.”


    And with that, he ended the call abruptly.


    A wry smile appeared on Hadley’s face as she held her phone tightly. How could she make it more clear to him that she wasn’t hanging on? Those days were long gone. She exhaled deeply, resigning herself to the inevitable. “So it has to be today,” she murmured.


    The task would not be simple, especially not today. She felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen, worse than usual.


    Heading towards Kingsbridge Cemetery on the city’s west side, where her grandmothery resting, Hadley braced herself against the difort. The sky was a mix of clouds and weak sunshine. The cemetery was located atop a hill. Despite the persistent pain, Hadley ascended slowly, clutching a bouquet she had picked up on her way.


    She finally reached her destination. Hadley was drenched in sweat from the climb, wiping it off as she knelt before her grandmother’s grave.


    cing the bouquet gently in front of the engraved headstone, she managed a tender smile towards the image of her grandmother carved in the stone.


    “Grandma, I’vee to visit,” she murmured softly.


    As she spoke, her voice broke slightly, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.


    “I’m so sorry it took so long, Grandma. I haven’t been here in four years. The flights back were just too costly for me.”


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    She had been doing somewhat better financially since meeting Colleen. Still, it had been just enough to scrape by, and returning to Srixby had seemed impossible until the Flynn family intervened financially.


    Drawing a deep breath, Hadley continued, “Grandma, I’m staying for good this time. No one’s going to force me out again. I’m here to stay in my city, and I’ll visit you more often. That’s a promise.”


    Through her tears, she smiled, pulling out her wallet to reveal a photo inside. “Grandma, you’ve not yet met my little one. Here’s how adorable Joy is!” Hadley held up the photo. “You would’ve liked her. I know you would. Soon, I’ll make sure you both meet.”


    Gently, she wiped the headstone with a towel. “Grandma, I wish I could bring more, but these flowers are all I have right now. When things get better, I’ll bring you something truly special.”


    Once the stone was clean, she knelt again, whispering a silent prayer. “Grandma, please watch over us, help me to secure a good ie, and keep Joy healthy,” Hadley murmured, her voice choked with emotion. “Everything will be okay,” she whispered reassuringly, both to her grandmother and herself. “You know I’m strong. There’s no need to worry about me.”


    Opening her eyes, which were rimmed red but no longer teary, she murmured a goodbye. “I’ll visit again soon, Grandma,” Hadley said, giving onest look at her grandmother’s photo before turning to walk away.


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