?Chapter 803:


    Theodore nted himself like a sentinel, unwavering. “Miss Pearson, as long as I’m standing here, you won’t be crossing that threshold.”


    Hadley stood thunderstruck, her mind spinning with no clear path forward.


    With a resigned sigh, she turned on her heel and retreated back inside. The hour had grownte, and a trip to her apartment was off the table. Joy would be crestfallen not to see her mother, no doubt.


    But in the grand scheme, it hardly mattered. A sibling for Joy was on the way, and she would weather the storm just fine.


    All Joy needed was patience—a little time to bide.


    If her apartment was out of reach, surely the TV station wasn’t? It was her job, after all.


    Steeling herself, Hadley made another break for the door, only to find Theodore barring her way once more.


    “Step aside!” she snapped, her eyes shing as she red up at him. “I’m headed to the TV station. Are you really going to stop me from working?”


    Theodore stood tall, an unyielding wall, his voice clipped and formal. “I answer only to Mr. Flynn.”


    As for Hadley’s personal affairs, he wouldn’t—and couldn’t—meddle.


    “Ha!” A sarcasticugh burst from her lips,ced with frustration. “Fine then, I’ll take it up with him myself!”


    Storming back to the living room, Hadley snatched up her phone and dialed Eric.


    The call connected, ringing on and on, only to fade into silence unanswered.


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    Hadley tried again—and again—each attempt met with the same stubborn void.


    Eric was dead-set on giving her the cold shoulder!


    What now?


    With no other cards to y, Hadley scrolled to Tessie’s number and pressed call.


    “Tessie, it’s me. I’m under the weather today and can’t make it in. Mind if I take the day off?”


    “You’re unwell?” Tessie’s voice softened as she nced at the schedule. “No worries, take it easy. Your team isn’t rehearsing today anyway—I’ll handle things here for you.”


    “Thanks a million!”


    “Rest up and feel better!”


    The call ended, leaving Hadley adrift. She had dodged work for today, but what about tomorrow? Only Eric held the key to untangling this mess!


    Yet he refused to pick up the phone.


    What could she do?


    For now, she had no choice but to wait.


    He woulde home eventually.


    Ever since they had been together, as long as he was in Srixby, he always returned to Silver Vis by nightfall.


    Dusk settled in.


    Fionaid out dinner and called Hadley to the table.


    Hadley lingered there, watching the meal grow cold, but Eric’s shadow never crossed the threshold.


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