?Chapter 989:


    Far from holding a grudge, Eric owed Denver a heartfelt thank-you. As Denver had pointed out, without his quick thinking, Hadley might have slipped away forever.


    Eric squeezed his eyes shut, the weight of that thought pressing down on him. Compared to the nightmare of losing Hadley forever, being outyed by Denver was a mere drop in the bucket.


    “It doesn’t matter,” Eric said through gritted teeth, shaking his head as his gaze locked onto the hospital door. “All we can do now is bide our time.”


    Waiting was his only card left to y. Hadley was safe, and that was a balm to his frayed nerves. Yet a nagging question gnawed at him. Had Hadley’s heart always belonged to Denver?


    She had never given him a chance, but there was a time when Denver had lit a spark in her. Now, with Denver ying the hero, risking it all to save her, would she run back into his arms?


    Inside the sterile confines of the hospital room, Hadley rested motionless on the bed, an oxygen mask cradling her face. The soft shuffle of footsteps stirred her, and her eyes fluttered open.


    “Hadley,” Denver murmured, his voice a gentle breeze as he glided to her bedside, careful not to ruffle her fragile peace. “How are you holding up?”


    Hadley parted her lips to reply, but Denver swiftly waved her off. “Don’t strain yourself. The nurse said you’re still too weak to talk. A blink or a nod will do.”


    Hadley paused, then offered a faint smile, her eyelids dipping like curtains at the end of a quiet scene—a silent reassurance that she was on the mend.


    “That is a relief,” Denver said, his voice catching as tears welled up, spilling over despite his best efforts. He reached for Hadley’s hand, his grip tender. “You gave me the scare of my life, but thank heavens you’re in the clear now.”


    A grin broke through his tears. “The nurse mentioned you were asking for me earlier?”


    Hadley gave a small nod, her eyes steady on his.


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    “Were you fretting over me?” Denver’s voice softened, his eyes glistening as he read Hadley’s unspoken thoughts. “I’m right as rain, see? Not a scratch worth worrying about.”


    Hadley watched him quietly, her eyes darting to his arm as a rough, raspy sound scratched its way out of her throat. “Ar… arm…”


    She hadn’t forgotten how Denver had thrown it up to shield her from the falling burning crate.


    “My arm?” Denver caught her meaning, lifting the injured limb with a wince that betrayed his pain. “Ouch… well, it does hurt a bit!” He chuckled, brushing it off. “Slipped my mind until you brought it up.” Hadley’s brow furrowed, unconvinced.


    “No need to fuss,” Denver reassured her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll have it looked at soon. You were my priority—I couldn’t think of anything else. It’s just a burn, nothing to write home about.”


    But Hadley wasn’t having it—she wouldn’t let him wave it off as a trifling scratch.


    Her brow creased with worry, her face pleading with Denver to take it seriously.


    Denver let out a softugh. “Alright, I hear you. I’ll get it patched up pronto—no dilly-dallying.”


    He eased her hand free, his smile dimming as a thought crossed his mind.


    “Hadley, Eric’s out there, pacing like a caged lion to see you. The nurse said to keep it calm, so we’re taking turns. I slipped in first.”


    Eric?


    Hadley’s frown deepened, her eyes brimming with shock and bewilderment. He actually showed up? What on earth possessed him toe here?


    She drifted into a sea of her own thoughts.


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