?Chapter 59:


    “It’s not like that…”


    His tone became biting, dismissing her exnation. “From day one, my feelings about you haven’t changed, Hadley. Wake up.”


    “I truly can’t make it,” Hadley insisted, feeling the futility of the conversation. “Something’se up. I’m stuck, really stuck, not far from Kingsbridge. It’s a mess here, and it’s not just me caught in it.”


    What was she doing in Kingsbridge anyways? It sounded like just another excuse.


    “Really? That’s just perfect,” Eric scoffed, disbelieving every word from Hadley. He was unmoved by her predicament. “I’m not interested in where you’re stuck. You’d better be on your way, even if it means crawling here. We’re finalizing this divorce today, no more dys!”


    With those harsh words, Eric ended the call.


    “Hello?” Hadley’s voice echoed faintly against the disconnect tone.


    She stood, phone in hand, grappling with her reality. His message was unmistakable—she had to make it, no matter what. With the roads blocked and no movement in sight, Hadley realized her only option was to set out on foot.


    She couldn’t help but let out a ruefulugh. Surely, walking was preferable to crawling.


    Resigned, Hadley grabbed her bag and stepped off the bus into the cold embrace of the rain. She raised her hand to shield her face, but it was futile. The relentless rain showed no signs of stopping, and without an umbre, Hadley was at its mercy.


    What else was there to do but walk? Teeth clenched in determination, Hadley pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, hoping it would offer some protection from the rain. Yet, it did little to shield her. The relentless downpour quickly drenched her, the hood clinging to her head like a soaked cloth.


    All the while, pain throbbed in her lower abdomen. She ced a hand over it, pushing through the difort with fierce resolve.


    After a thirty-minute slog, Hadley reached the area of the copsed overpass,pletely wet. The scene was chaotic: police blockades, firefighters amidst debris, and a line of ambnces.


    “Stop right there!” a traffic officer called out to her. “This road is closed for clearing operations!”


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    Understanding the situation, Hadley managed a strained smile and responded, “I understand, but it’s urgent. I promise to keep out of the way and not cause any trouble. I just need to pass through.”


    The officer looked her over. “You’re soaked through. Where did you trek from?”


    “From Kingsbridge.”


    “Really?” His eyebrows climbed his forehead in astonishment. “You walked that whole distance?”


    “Yes,” Hadley answered, sping her hands in earnest. “It’s urgent, officer. My child’s at home alone, and I’m quite worried.”


    “What about the father?”


    Laughing nervously, her eyshes fluttered as she responded, “It’s just me. I’m doing it on my own.”


    The officer hesitated, then sighed deeply.


    “Alright, go through,” he replied, gesturing her forward.


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