Chapter 13 How Can You

Show Your Face Here

The man on the bed did not react to Hadley’s presence.

Despite the years that had slipped by, Ernest still looked much the same, as if he were merely asleep.

Memories of Ernest, vibrant and driven, flooded Hadley’s mind…

She struggled to come to terms with the reality, even after all this time.

It seemed so unjust that such a kind person could endure such a fate.

Ernest was a good man, yet he had spent years lying there in a coma. Chances were, he would never wake up.

The sound of the bathroom door interrupted her reflections. A caregiver appeared.

With a basin of water in hand, the caregiver noticed Hadley’s tear–streaked face and nodded courteously.

“Hello.”

“Hi.” Hadley offered her hand. “Are you going to wipe his face?”

“No, I’m actually here to shave him,” he replied.

Understanding, Hadley observed Ernest’s face, noticing the thick stubble that shaded his jaw blue. “I’ll take care

of that. I know how to do it.”

During Ernest’s initial hospitalization, Hadley had been the one to look after him.

At that time, Nyla was overwhelmed with grief and illness, Eric was preoccupied with work, and Linda was

expecting…

Thus, Hadley had become the primary caregiver within the Flynn family.

Caregivers typically deferred to such wishes from the family members.

He set the basin on the nearby stand and passed her a towel. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

Gratefully accepting it, Hadley dampened the towel and used it to warm Ernest’s face.

She then spread shaving cream over his face and started the careful process of shaving him.

Engrossed in her task, Hadley didn’t notice Linda enter the room.

Limping slightly from her injured ankle, Linda approached and stopped by the bedside, staring at Hadley in

astonishment.

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Chapter 13 How Can You Show Your Face Here

“Hadley, is that really you?”

Her expression turned into a frown. “What are you doing here? And why are you doing this?”

Looking up, Hadley responded, “I came to visit Ernest… and as you can see, I’m shaving him.”

Linda chuckled lightly, a hint of amusement in her voice. “I can see what you’re doing.”

“And why bother asking, then?” Hadley retorted sharply.

“You…”

A silent standoff ensued as their gazes locked.

With a dismissive wave, Linda crossed her arms and sighed. “Fine, you’ve visited. Now you should go. We have caregivers; your presence isn’t necessary.”

Hadley responded smoothly,

already sending me away. What’s troubling you, Linda?

something?”

darkened. “What

she gestured

Linda’s abdomen. “What really happened back then? Can you live with your deceit, fooling everyone, even yourself? Think about

looked bewildered. “What exactly are

“All these years, don’t you feel any remorse when you

at

Linda gestured towards the exit. “Leave now! You have no place

entrance, Eric was conversing with Nyla on

hospital to see Ernest alone, Nyla

isolated there, and

“I’m aware, Grandma.”

massaged his forehead. “I’ve

on his agenda for the evening

home safe under my watch,

“Thank you.”

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he approached the ward’s door, pushing it open to witness the

drama.

emphatically towards the exit. “Leave now! You have no place

was just beside the bed when Eric

intense. “Hadley, what have you done to upset

“Eric!”

welled up in Linda’s

“I’ve got this.”

moved swiftly

voice desperate. “I

leave!”

Eric wasted no

evident in his expression. “Did you

sardonic chuckle. She set the razor aside, dried her hands,

“Hold on!”

distress, felt

yellow calla lilies from a

with a nod.

them!” Eric dismissed her with a flick of

now forbidden even

you still

took action himself, snatching

“Do you think Ernest would appreciate it? Had it not been for your actions,

gaze pierced

you show your

though she might cry.

can’t take this!”

by Linda’s distress, Eric redirected his frustration towards Hadley. “Aren’t you

bouquet tightly,

she possibly say or

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How Can You Show Your

“Alright, I’m leaving.”

left

exited, Eric approached Linda, offering support. “There’s no need to

make sure the staff doesn’t allow her

her voice choked

at the bus stop

stopped running

what was she

she need to

grueling two–hour trek the previous evening, it looked

Once again, it seemed her feet were her only reliable

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