Chapter 26 Was It Worth It

Linda was upset by Eric’s words. What did he mean she didn’t understand Hadley?

Or did he mean to say he did?

To the extent that he’d sacrificed his meal to find her?

However, once outside, Eric found no trace of Hadley.

Where could she have gone? With Nyla’s surgery still underway, it was unlikely she’d just leave.

Eric retrieved his phone and called Hadley’s number.

Hadley didn’t answer, but he already heard the ringtone. Suddenly, he realized the sound was close by.

Drawn by the ringtone, Eric headed toward the fire escape stairwell where he saw Hadley.

“Hello?” Hadley spoke into her phone, just as the call disconnected. “Huh? What’s happening?”

“What are you doing here?” Eric’s voice emerged unexpectedly from behind her.

Caught off guard, Hadley turned sharply, her eyes wide with surprise. “Eric, what brings you he

“It’s you I should be questioning,” Eric retorted, his expression tinged with irritation. “Why are you secluding yourself out here? Come and join me for lunch. Must I really persuade you like a child?”

“There‘

o need for that!”

“Not this again!”

Eric was growing tired of the repetition. “Hadley, is that all you can say to me? We have no idea when Grandma will be out of surgery. What if she needs you and you’ve passed out from not eating? I don’t want to deal with

that mess.”

“I don’t really need to…”

“Tell me the truth…”

Eric’s dark eyes intensified as they focused on Hadley’s face as he interrupting her. “Are you just avoiding Linda?”

What?

Hadley was taken aback. Was that his assumption?

Her silence led him to believe he was correct.

Eric’s voice, laced with a hint of sarcasm, carried through the air. “Thinking back, was it worth it? You know,

you get what you give.”

Hadley fixed her gaze on Eric, unblinking, and then abruptly questioned, “Did Linda say that?”

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pondered internally if Linda actually told Eric

Eric seemed puzzled by her

“Never mind…”

not to pursue the matter further. It felt

years ago, Eric had unconditionally sided with Linda. Was there any chance he’d support Hadlay now?

to vindicate herself at

shook her head.

anything. You all go ahead and have lunch. I have

have you got

but his attention suddenly shifted

He noticed it.

backpack with an open lunchbox perched on

of the lunchbox were

noodles accompanied by

spot anything else, but that was it.

puzzled and a bit concerned. “Hadley, is that what you’re

responded, her face showing resolve.

Hadley eat

plain was an understatement. What made her

this kind of diet harmful to

with a monthly stipend. She had more than enough to live well, even by Srixby’s

here. There had to be another

had suggested. Hadley was likely trying to

your figure by eating that little?” Eric’s frustration was evident

thin, a gust of wind might

silent, her expression

snapped, frustrated. “If you insist on starving yourself, fine. But remember,

suffer, not mine!”

a dismissive gesture, Eric spun around and left abruptly.

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Was It

last, he was

steadying breath, managed a weak smile, sat down again, and resumed eating her now cold lunch, each bite

to grab her water bottle and take a few

in the lounge, Eric reappeared, his mood clearly unchanged.

happened to Hadley? Weren’t you able

retorted sharply. The mere thought of Hadley seemed to sour his mood further.

up in her dietary fads. Just leave her to

head. “I warned you, but you wouldn’t listen. Now, come on, have

some more.”

concluded successfully at two in the afternoon, and Nyla

briefed Eric thoroughly on the post–operative care.

critical. Ideally, a family member should be present. We do have caregivers, but

better to

“I’ll stay!”

“I’ll stay!”

Eric and Hadley said at

then hesitated. “I mean, it’s really Mr.

enough.”

both of you should consider staying.

for

made, it’s prudent for Mr. Flynn

paused, observing both Eric and Hadley for

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