?Chapter 3161:


    “Well…” Hadley smiled, a hint of nervousness in her expression. Before, she had followed Eric’s advice, keeping the secret to herself, hoping it would bring Colleen and Brady closer. Yet now, she knew it was time to finally share the truth with Colleen. “It’s just…” Hadley leaned in toward Colleen, her voice dropping slightly. “About your previous diagnosis…” Her words faded into a whisper as she kept talking.


    Colleen blinked, her eyes fixed on Hadley. “Hmm?” Her eyes then widened abruptly, and she cried out, “What did you just say?”


    She held onto Hadley’s wrist and asked, “Hadley, is that seriously true?”


    With a nervous smile, Hadley said quietly, “It is.”


    “You…” Colleen stammered, her shock leaving her momentarily speechless. “You and Eric…”


    Hadley tried to soothe her friend. “I’m truly sorry. But now you and Brady are in such a good ce. Please don’t be upset, alright?”


    Colleen gradually regained herposure, shaking her head as augh escaped her. “It’s simply unbelievable!”


    She had truly been upset about not being able to get pregnant, and her worries weren’t imagined—they were real and pressing.


    Yet now, the truth had revealed itself, simple and undeniable.


    Should she feel anger? No, she wasn’t the petty type. She also recognized that without Eric’s n, she and Brady might never havee together.


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    Being with Brady brought her genuine happiness, something rare and precious.


    “Humph!” Colleen feigned indignation, casting Hadley a sly sidelong nce. “Then why tell me now? Why break the secret at all?”


    “I was concerned about you,” Hadley confessed with a gentle smile. “What if you two… have a child already?”


    She added carefully, “Isn’t it a bit early for that? If your family discovers it was all a scheme, and your mother gets angry and intervenes… what then?”


    It would be wiser if the “treatment” continued a while longer before Colleen miraculously became pregnant.


    By then, any oue could be attributed to the brilliant doctor and his herbal remedies.


    “The herbal remedies…” Hadley smiled, continuing, “The doctor said that with those herbs, conception is unlikely. Well, since you’re not likely to use protection given the situation, I just want to be sure.”


    That was the reason for her earlier caution.


    “Humph.” Colleen huffed, pretending to be annoyed. “Don’t worry. I’ll follow the schedule.”


    And it wasn’t merely for her family’s sake.


    “I’m just not ready… We’re not married, and I can’t bring a baby into our lives right now.”


    Hadley realized then that Colleen’s anger had melted away.


    Arm in arm, they strolled inside together.


    “Don’t tell Brady about this either. He can be a bit dense, and he might blurt it out in front of your family.”


    “I know—he’s such a dummy!”


    Still annoyed, Colleen turned to pinch her friend at her side. “Hadley! You really nearly scared me to death!”


    “I know, I know! Please… give me a break! Let’s talk about you and Brady. Got any ns?”


    “We’ll see,” Colleen replied. “Mom still thinks he’s far too young, constantly anxious about all the what-ifs…”


    Laughing and chatting, they made their way into the house.


    Elissa was already seated in the living room, waiting for them. Hearing themotion, she rose from the sofa. “Hadley…” Then she turned to Colleen, her smile warm and inviting. “Hello.”


    “Elissa!” Colleen released Hadley’s arm and stepped forward, returning the smile as she took Elissa’s hand. “I’m Colleen. We’re good friends too—don’t forget that, or I’ll be cross!”


    “I won’t forget,” Elissa said, her tension melting instantly.


    “Then let’s get moving!” Hadley announced. “We’ve got a busy day ahead.”


    They nned to pick dresses, style their hair, and pamper themselves with manicures.


    As they slid into the car, Elissa’s phone rang—it was Ernest.


    “Once you’re done,e by thepany. Dinner’s on me, just the two of us.”


    “Okay…” Elissa replied softly.


    Colleen leaned in, whispering, “Is Ernest always this clingy? Doesn’t look the type.”


    Hadley whispered back with a chuckle, “Cut him some ck. He’s in his thirties… and he finally has someone he loves.”


    Finally meeting the person who held his heart, Ernest treasured Elissa more than ever.


    Meanwhile, at Flynn Group, Ernest ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket. As the elevator doors parted, he stepped in.


    The doors were beginning to close when—


    “Please hold the door!”


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