?Chapter 1443:


    That evening, just past five, Hadley wrapped up filming.


    She was still removing her makeup when Elissa arrived—they had ns.


    Elissa wanted Hadley to help her choose a gift.


    They left the film set and headed straight for Evergrand Mall.


    On the way, Hadley nced at her. “Who’s it for?”


    “My mom.”


    Hadley was caught off guard. In all the time she’d known Elissa, this was the first time she’d ever mentioned her mother.


    Noticing the surprised look on her friend’s face, Elissa smiled. “She lives abroad. Her birthday’sing up, so I wanted to send her something.”


    “Oh.” Hadley nodded, hesitating for a moment. “She hasn’t visited Srixby at all over the years?”


    “No.” Elissa shook her head, her smile fading just a little. “When I first came here with Robin, she didn’t approve. To her, returning here meant choosing my father’s side. She saw it as betrayal.”


    That was when their rtionship began to strain.


    And as Elissa’s life spiraled further out of control, their conversations grew more infrequent.


    Still, every year on her mother’s birthday, Elissa sent a gift.


    “Let’s not get into that.” Elissa smiled again. “Just help me pick something niceter, okay?”


    “Sure.”


    Since it was a gift for Elissa’s mother, they headed straight to the women’s essories section when they arrived at Evergrand Mall.<fnf9a1> Get full chapters from find?novel</fnf9a1>


    After browsing for a bit, they came across a pearl ne that caught both their eyes.


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    “I think this would be perfect for her,” Hadley said.


    “It is.” Elissa nced at the price tag and winced slightly. “A little expensive, though.”


    Hadley offered without thinking, “Do you want me to—”


    “No need.” Elissa cut her off gently. “She’s my mom. I can’t let you pay for this.”


    She raised her phone. “I’ll just put it on my card and pay in installments.”


    Hadley frowned. “Are you sure? Maybe pick a less pricey one?”


    “This is the one.” Elissa smiled. “If I send something cheap, she’ll think I’m struggling. I already went against her wishes bying here—I don’t want her to worry.”


    She turned to the sales associate. “Could you wrap this ne, please?”


    “Of course. Right this way to the register.”


    Hadley didn’t follow Elissa to the register. She lingered by the counter, her gaze settling on a bracelet.


    The sales associate noticed immediately and walked over with a smile. “This piece is lovely. Would you like to try it on?”


    “No, thank you.” Hadley waved it off. She wasn’t nning to buy anything.


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