?Chapter 1052:


    “Okay.” Hadley nodded, her mind swirling with questions. Something serious was clearly afoot.


    By five that afternoon, Hadley wrapped up filming and stepped outside. A light rain had started to fall.


    She checked her phone and found no missed calls or new messages. Still no word from Eric.


    She hesitated and then tried his number.


    “The number you’ve reached is currently unavable.” His phone was still off.


    Hadley’s brow creased. What was going on?


    Back at her apartment, she opened the door, and Joy bounded toward her.


    “Mommy!”


    Her daughter’s big eyes peered behind her. “Where’s Eric?”


    Lately, Hadley and Eric had beening home together most days.


    Hadley scooped Joy up and stepped inside. “He’s got some stuff to handle, sweetie. He won’t be around for a couple of days.”


    Joy’s face fell into a pout.


    Hadley’s heart softened, and she yfully nudged her daughter. “What, you only like him now? Forgotten about me?”


    “No way!” Joy’s eyes widened in rm. “I love Mommy!”


    “Oh, really?” Hadley teased, raising an eyebrow. “Then isn’t it the same if I stay with you? You’ve been glued to himtely.”


    “I want Mommy!” Joy insisted, wrapping her arms around Hadley’s neck and nuzzling close. “Mommy, can you give me a bath, read me a story, and tuck me in?”


    “Alright.” Hadley stifled augh, grateful she had sessfully distracted her daughter.


    That night, after putting Joy to bed, Hadley checked her phone again.


    No new messages.


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    Her frown deepened, a mix of confusion and concern settling in.


    The next morning, before heading to the set, Hadley stopped by the hospital. Joy’s medication was running low, and she needed to refill it. After picking up the prescription from the outpatient pharmacy, she weaved through the bustling lobby toward the exit.


    The morning crowd was thick, and she navigated carefully.


    In the press of people, she identally bumped into someone, and her bag of medicine slipped from her hand, hitting the floor.


    “I’m sorry,” the person said quickly, crouching with her to retrieve it.


    The medicine bottles spilled out, scattering across the tiles.


    “Hadley?”


    She looked up, startled, to see Brady grinning at her.


    “It’s you! Wow, Hadley!”


    Her expression tightened. She snatched the medicine bottle from his hand, stuffed it back into the bag, and turned to leave.


    “Hadley! Wait!” Brady called, hurrying after her and catching her wrist. “What’s the rush? Are you sick? What’s wrong—did you get some kind of diagnosis?”


    Hadley noticed Brady’s gaze fixed on the medicine bottle before she snatched it back.


    But instead of giving him an answer, she shot back, “That’s not your business.”


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