Chapter 170
“Thank you, Nyla!”
Hadley pressed her lips together, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Eric noticed the spark of happiness in her. Was she really that pleased? And who was this person she claimed to love?
“Hadley.”
Nyla couldn’t hide the reluctance in her voice, the worry for Hadley’s future still lingering.
“Bring him by sometime, alright? Let me take a look at him.” Nyla thought to herself, Hadley’s already suffered through one bad marriage because of me. I have to make sure this guy really is the right one for her.
But how could Hadley respond to that?
She offered a smile, keeping her answer vague. “Yes, I will. When he has some free time.”
“Then I’ll be waiting.”
Nyla looked over at Eric, who was standing nearby, and waved him over. “Why are you just standing there? Sit down and join me for some tea.”
“Okay.”
“Hadley, my dear.” Nyla motioned toward her. “Can you grab some silverware for Eric?”
“Sure, no problem.”
Hadley agreed and stood up to leave.
As soon as she was gone, Nyla’s expression turned serious as she turned her gaze to Eric.
“Who is this person Hadley says she loves?”
“Huh?” Eric blinked, surprised, and shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? What a loser!”
Nyla sneered, narrowing her gaze. “What did I tell you? I asked you to look out for Hadley like she’s your sister, and this is how you show up? You don’t even know who she’s seeing?”
Eric fell silent but couldn’t resist responding. “I’ve never had a sister. I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
Nyla’s frustration flared. “You don’t need a guidebook to care about someone. If you’d invested half the energy in Hadley that you put into Linda, she wouldn’t be in this situation!”
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“Grandma?!” Eric was taken aback, a knot of panic tightening in his chest. “What do you mean? Linda and I aren’t—”
“Enough.” Nyla snorted dismissively. “I’m not interested in arguing with you. I just want to know who Hadley’s with, and if he treats her right. Understand?”
“Understood.” Eric nodded, his voice small.
He didn’t need Nyla’s instructions—he was already determined to find out.
Later, after leaving the sanatorium, Eric drove Hadley home. This time, she didn’t wait for him to invite her. She slid into the passenger seat without hesitation.
As the car cruised down the road, Hadley turned to Eric. “When do you think we should go to the courthouse? Let me know when you pick a time.”
“Sure,” Eric mumbled, his mind elsewhere.
Trying to sound casual, he added, “You’ve only been back in Srixby for a few days, and you’ve already found a boyfriend? That was quick.”
Hadley paused, then smiled. “Yes. Relationships aren’t about how long you’ve known someone. You can know someone for years and still not feel a thing.” Her words hung in the air.
Eric’s gaze darkened. Was she implying something about his lack of feelings for her?
A knot formed in his chest, and he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “Don’t let love cloud your judgment, Hadley. Just because a guy’s nice doesn’t mean you should throw your common sense out the window.”