?Chapter 2829:


    After hearing Ernest’s ount and listening to Eric’s theory, she nodded firmly.


    “Then we wait.” Her gaze deepened, shadows pooling in her eyes.


    “To think this ties back to the past… Humph.”


    With a sharp breath, she dered coldly, “Old grudges and new wounds—this time, they will all be settled!”


    Taking Hadley’s hand in hers, N patted it gently.


    “Don’t be afraid. Joy and Locke will survive this and return to us, just like their fathers did.”


    “Yes…” Hadley’s voice cracked as tears welled.


    “Don’t cry, my dear.” N cupped her cheek with rare tenderness.


    “Stay here with me tonight.”


    With Joy gone, N couldn’t bear to let Hadley spend the night alone in the Crimson House.


    “Alright.”


    That night, Hadleyy awake in her old room.


    The hours crawled by, mercilessly slow.


    Every tick of the clock gnawed at her. Each second felt like a de twisting in her chest.


    Thoughts of Joy’s possible suffering left her breathless, her chest tight as if a weight were pressing down on it. Atst, unable to bear it, she flung off the covers, slipped out of bed, and opened the door.


    The house was steeped in darkness.


    She turned on a wallmp and made her way toward the door that led to the garden, hoping the cool night air would soothe her. But halfway there, a faint sound reached her ears. She stopped, heart quickening, straining to listen.


    The noise… it wasing from the direction of the bar.


    Who could be there at this hour?


    Changing course, Hadley headed toward the bar.


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    The light was on. Eric sat on a high stool, still dressed as he had been all day, a ss in hand as he tipped his head back to drink.


    “Eric,” she whispered.


    He turned at the sound of her voice.


    “Hadley?”


    Setting down the ss, he frowned slightly.


    “Why aren’t you asleep?”


    Hadley shook her head.


    “I couldn’t sleep.”


    “I thought you took the medicine.” His brows knitted.


    “The one that helps you sleep?”


    He had seen her take the pills, expecting them to help.


    “They didn’t work,” she murmured, meeting his gaze.


    “And you? Couldn’t sleep either?”


    For a parent, losing a child was the copse of the entire world.


    In that moment, they understood each other without words.


    “No…” Eric admitted quietly.


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