Chapter 1220:


    Eric’s gaze dropped. There was a trace of quiet resignation in his eyes. He could tell—Hadley was holding something back. She didn’t want to exin. More than that, she didn’t want him involved.


    “Didn’t sleep well?” he asked, his lips tugging into a wry, bitter smile.


    “Good thing I came over early today. Let me stay with Joy. You should head home and rest.”


    “Okay.” She nodded, her smile warm but distant.


    “Thank you.”


    She reached for her phone and grabbed her backpack from the sofa.


    “Joy’s still asleep. She might be a little clingy when she wakes up.”


    “I’ve got it. Don’t worry.”


    “Then I’ll get going…”


    “Alright.”


    Hadley pulled the door open and walked out, leaving a silence behind her.


    Eric stood there, his brows drawn in tightly. Was he just imagining it?


    Because it sure felt like she was pulling away.


    She hadn’t been like this in the past few days… colder, more guarded.


    Distant.


    Could it be…


    His expression darkened as a thought struck him. When he kissed her earlier—had she actually been awake?


    On the drive home, Hadley’s thoughts swirled. What was she supposed to do?


    Then it hit her. Ernest.


    He had told her more than once—if she ever needed help, she just had to call. In fact, only a few days ago, when he brought Locke to visit Joy, he reminded her of that again.


    She always tried not to trouble him unless she absolutely had to. But this… this was one of those times. She couldn’t handle it alone.


    Resolute, she pulled the car to the side of the road, picked up her phone, and dialed Ernest’s number.


    Lose yourself in stories on gα?ησν????s


    Yet, it went to voicemail.


    She frowned.


    “That’s strange.”


    She redialed. Once. Twice. Several times. Each call ended the same way.


    Maybe he was just caught up with something. Maybe she could try againter.


    Disheartened, she put the phone away and drove home, her chest heavy with unease.


    Later that evening, she tried again—but still, no response. The line remained dead.


    Ernest would never ignore her calls on purpose. That wasn’t like him. Could he be out of town? He did travel often, constantly flying for business. It was likely.


    Eric might know where Ernest had gone. Should she reach out to him?


    Her hand hovered over her phone. Then she thought of the kiss. The one on the sofa.


    If she called now, Eric would definitely press her about why she needed to find Ernest.


    “No…” Hadley exhaled, shutting her eyes as she slowly lowered the phone.


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    Message from Noah: Have a nice week dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? – ? ) ?


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