?Chapter 503:


    “Yes, I am.” Still smiling, Hadley added, “I need to stop by the dance studioter. Don’t worry about the party, Sebastian; I’ll manage on my own.”


    “All right, then.”


    Hadley left the store, eager to get home early. An evening free from performances was a rarity, offering her a precious opportunity to be with Joy. Usually, by the time she arrived home, Joy was already asleep. Tonight, however, she looked forward to reading her a bedtime story and tucking her in.


    As she waited for a taxi, her phone began to ring. The caller ID disyed an unknownndline number.


    “Hello?” she answered, puzzled.


    “Hello, this is the police station. Are you a friend of Elissa Hond’s?”


    “Oh, yes!” Hadley’s heart raced. “Officer, what’s the situation?”


    “Could youe to the station, please?”


    “Absolutely, I’ll be right there!”


    Hadley rushed to the police station after ending the call, her nerves on edge. Over the phone, the officers had exined that Elissa was involved in an altercation. Upon arriving, she found Elissa alone on a bench, looking disheveled with bruises marring her pale face. Blood trickled from her forehead and the corner of her mouth.


    “Elissa,” Hadley called out softly as she approached and began to smooth out her friend’s hair. Without asking any questions, she reassured her, “Just hang tight. I’ll sort out the paperwork and we’ll head home.”


    The altercation hadn’t been one-sided; it involved mutual aggression. Someone had already stopped by and escorted the other person away. While finalizing the documents, a police officer shook his head and said, “You might want to have a word with your friendter. Is a man really worth all this trouble?”


    G  a lno  ve ls . is where the magic begins


    He continued, perplexed, “With so many men in the world, why squabble over one who’s deceiving both of you? It just isn’t worth it.”


    Startled, Hadley wondered if a romantic dispute had really sparked the fight.


    Forcing a dryugh, she responded, “You have a point, officer.”


    With the paperworkpleted, Hadley offered Elissa her arm for support as they exited the station and headed to her apartment. They made a quick stop at a pharmacy for some supplies. Back at Elissa’s ce, Hadley fetched ab and carefully tied Elissa’s hair back before pulling out the first-aid kit.


    “Let me clean and treat your wounds. It may sting a little, but try to endure it, okay?”


    “Okay,” Elissa replied, trusting Hadleypletely. As Hadley tended to each injury, Elissa felt only the sharp sting of the antiseptic. She bit her lip and murmured, “Hadley, I’m grateful.”


    “For what, exactly?” Hadley asked, dismissing the thanks as she cleared away used cotton pads. “You’ve been there for me, too. Friends help each other, right?”


    “That’s true,” Elissa said softly. Though they’d known each other only a short time, their bond felt deep.


    After tidying up, Hadley gestured toward Elissa’s swollen lip. “Eating must be tough right now. Still, you need something in your stomach. What do you feel like for dinner?”


    Elissa shook her head. “I’m not hungry at all.”


    “Then don’t force yourself,” Hadley said gently. Helping her lie back down, she continued, “Get some rest. You probably don’t feel like talking. Just take it easy and clear your mind.”


    “All right,” Elissa agreed, reclining with a resigned expression.


    Silently, Hadley stood, closed the bedroom door softly behind her, and slipped into the kitchen.


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