?Chapter 2916:


    “Alright.”


    Eric epted the medicine, slipped it into his pocket, and quickly threw on his coat, ready to leave. He thought that Hadley was still waiting for him outside.


    “Hadley?”


    Yet when he stepped outside, she was nowhere to be seen near the sunroom entrance.


    Had she already gone? She hadn’t waited for him?


    Eric stood there, his shoulders drooping and his eyes growing dull. Hadley had not waited for him. She had already gone. Thinking back, ever since they’de down from Shelter Mountain, they’d hardly spent any time alone together. Bit by bit, the distance between them had grown. Still, was there really anything wrong with that? Now, the two of them were nothing more than siblings. With time, that distance would only widen, and soon, their lives would drift even further apart.


    As this crossed his mind, Eric shut his eyes for a moment. He drew in a heavy breath and raised his right hand, pressing it gently against his left shoulder. The pain from the freshly bandaged wound began to throb all over again.


    Several days passed. After seeing Locke and Joy off to school, Hadley returned to the main building. She was nning to take N for a stroll and then help Kira handle a few things over at Flynn Mansion.


    The weather felt colder today, and N ended up sleeping a littleter than usual.


    When Hadley returned, a servant remarked, “Mrs. Flynn is still asleep.”


    “That’s good to hear.”


    Hadley smiled and said softly, “It’s rare for N to sleep in. Let’s not wake her up.”


    “Understood, Miss Pearson.”


    Hadley was about to head into the dining room when the sound of footsteps came from upstairs.


    “Ernest…”


    Hadley assumed it must be Ernest.


    Most mornings, if Ernest had slept well, he woulde down early to keep Lockepany. If he had a social event the night before, he usually came downter.


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    It turned out to be Ernest after all, but he was not alone. Eric was right behind him.


    Hadley was caught off guard. Eric was still here?


    Over the past few days, Eric had been leaving early and returningte, and the two of them had barely crossed paths.


    She figured today would be no different.


    “Ernest, Eric.”


    Hadley didn’t press them with questions. Instead, she smiled and said, “Breakfast is ready. Come on, let’s eat.”


    “Alright.” Ernest nced her way and asked, “Will you join us?”


    “Sure.” Hadley nodded. She had been nning to head there anyway.


    She had a serving of toasted bread in front of her, paired with avocado, fruit, a tangy sauce, and a hazelnuttte on the side. While eating, Hadley scrolled through her phone, reading a script that Elvin had sent her.


    Eric sat across from her, watching with a furrowed brow. Hadley was never much of an eater to begin with, and now, with her attention on her phone, she ate even less.


    “What are you looking at?” Ernest nced at Eric, then turned to Hadley.


    “It’s a script.”


    Hadley set her phone down and answered, “Elvin’s sent me a bunch of scripts recently and wants me to take my time picking the right one.”


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