?Chapter 2966:


    At Crimson House, Hadleyy rxed on a chaise lounge, drifting in that hazy space between wakefulness and sleep.


    Eric slipped in quietly, careful not to wake her, and settled down beside her.


    His eyes lingered on her, and a small crease formed between his brows.


    Had she really just fallen asleep like that? Without even pulling a nket over herself?


    He picked up a light throw nket from the sofa and gently draped it over her stomach.


    Hadley stirred and slowly opened her eyes. “Hmm… hey.”


    Eric nodded and smoothed the nket, his voice tinged with gentle reproach. “You’re on your period. How can you fall asleep with the AC running like this? Aren’t you worried about getting chilled and the cramps getting worse?”


    After Joy’s birth, Hadley had had health issues and had spent some time under the care of a holistic practitioner. She was doing better now, but she still needed to be cautious.


    ????????????e ????????n??e ???? ??????????v??????.c????


    “I’m being careful,” Hadley murmured, already knowing he was right. “It wasn’t my intention. I just dozed off while rxing.”


    She nced at the clock and blinked in surprise. “Wait—why are you back already? Didn’t you have a meeting tonight?”


    “I did,” Eric confirmed. “I probably won’t be back untilte tonight. Could you let Joy know?”


    “Sure.”


    Hadley sat up slightly and noticed he’d changed clothes—he wasn’t wearing what he’d had on that morning. “You’ve got to go, right? Don’t let me hold you up.”


    “No rush,” Eric said, staying put. “I wanted to talk to you for a bit first.”


    His gazended on the book beside her.


    “Oh?” One eyebrow lifted. “No script this time?”


    “Carlden told me to take a break for now,” Hadley exined. “He read through all the scripts I’ve received. Said they were average—nothing special.”


    Carlden Bowman was the agent East Entertainment had assigned her. He’d advised Hadley to wait and see how her new shownded with audiences before jumping into anything new. If it did well, better offers would follow.


    “That makes sense,” Eric said. “You don’t have to take every job thates your way… If nothing great shows up, just take some time off.”


    “That’s exactly what I was thinking…”


    As they chattedfortably, Hadley’s phone rang.


    “Hold on a sec,” she said.


    Eric watched as she answered—it was Brady.


    “Hey, Brady. Finally!” Hadley instinctively frowned. “I’ve called you a few times but never got through. Are you that swamped?”


    Brady said something on the other end.


    Hadley nodded and said, “Just take care of yourself. Don’t skip meals, alright?”


    Since he clearly didn’t have much time, Hadley gave him a few quick words of advice and hung up.


    “Ugh.” She sighed softly and set the phone aside.


    Eric paused for a moment. “Brady hasn’t been around in a while, has he?”


    “No.” Hadley lowered her head, her neck curving gracefully. “He always says he’s busy. But I wonder if that’s really the whole story.”


    “I think he’s telling the truth,” Eric said, tilting his head slightly in defense of his brother-inw.


    Since they both worked in the same industry, he knew more than Hadley did. Plus, Brady’s logisticspany had close ties with the Scott Group.


    “His business is running at full capacity right now,” Eric added with a smile.


    Hadley understood immediately. “So Brady’s really been busytely?”


    “Yeah.” Eric nodded and offered a little more detail. “Thepany’s stretched thin. I even told his manager to hire more staff.”


    “What?” Hadley shot him a disapproving look—not grateful, but concerned. “So you’re helping him burn himself out even more?”


    Eric was taken aback.


    Was it really wrong to send his brother-inw more business?


    “Ugh…” Seeing his wounded expression, Hadley sighed. “I know you mean well. But I’m worried… If Brady keeps this up, he’s going to copse.”


    She went on after a brief pause. “He never talks about himself these days and always pretends everything’s fine. But… I know it’s hard for him inside.”


    She then thought of Colleen. The two of them were the same. Ever since their breakup, both Colleen and Brady acted like they had everything under control. But everything about them felt strained.


    “I ran into Colleen the other day. She wasn’t doing great either,” Hadley added quietly.


    Really?


    Eric tried to recall—he’d seen Colleen not long ago. But nothing had seemed off to him.


    Hadley sighed deeply, worry etched across her face.


    How could Eric possibly understand what was going on in a woman’s troubled mind?


    “Don’t sigh. Don’t furrow your brow.” Eric reached up and gently massaged the spot between her eyebrows. “He’s your brother, she’s your friend—not your kids.”


    To him, she was clearly worrying too much.


    “Hey, you know what?” he said, his eyes softening. “Want me toe up with something?”


    “You?” Hadley was surprised. “What could you possibly do?”


    She remembered his past tactics and quickly warned him, “Don’t do anything reckless. Don’t make things harder for Colleen.”


    “Haha.” Eric chuckled softly and gave her nose a yful pinch. “What, you think I’m going to kidnap Dr. Hayes and drop her at Brady’s feet?”


    Hadley stayed quiet.


    That actually sounded like something Eric would do.


    After all, she still remembered exactly how he used to operate.


    “Rx.” Eric shook his head, amused. “Dr. Hayes helped me tremendously. I wouldn’t repay her with trouble.”


    “Then what are you nning?”


    “Well…” Eric motioned for her to lean closer. “Come here. I’ll tell you.”


    “So secretive? Do you actually have a n?” Hadley was skeptical but leaned in anyway.


    “I’ve got an idea…” Eric whispered softly into her ear. “What do you think?”


    “Well… I don’t know…” Hadley was thrown off by his exnation and wasn’t sure how to react. “Isn’t that a little risky?”


    “If you want this to work,” Eric said, “you can’t y it too safe. This isn’t a game for the cautious.”


    “But…” Hadley still hesitated. “It’s not exactly easy to pull off, is it?”


    His n only worked if absolutely no one—not even Colleen—knew about it.


    “You’re right. It’s all about the perfect timing.”


    But right now, he didn’t have the time to exin further. Eric checked his watch. “We’ll talk more when I get back. I’ve got to go now.”


    He leaned in and kissed her.


    “I probably won’t make it home tonight to tuck Joy in. But as soon as I’m back, I’lle see you.”


    Hadley smiled and gave him a light nudge. “Then go already.”


    “See youter.”


    “Okay.”


    Eric stood and left the house.


    Hadley watched him go with a smile—but at the same time, a shadow of doubt settled over her heart.


    He clearly cared about her. But she couldn’t help thinking about N’s questions about their wedding.


    He still hadn’t brought it up.


    Why? What was he actually nning?


    Had he simply never given it any thought? Or after everything they’d been through together—maybe he was justfortable with how things were, wedding or not?


    .


    .


    .