Chapter 246
Nyla’s sharp eyes flickered with something unreadable.
So her grandson had not been lying after all—he truly had started making his move. Well, well.
Nyla took Hadley’s hand, squeezing it gently.
“It is late. Why don’t you stay and get back in the morning? We can have breakfast together. How’s that?”
“But…” Hadley hesitated.
“Be good,” Nyla coaxed, her voice laced with affection. “Do not tell me you do not listen to me anymore?”
“That is not it.” Hadley mulled it over before finally giving in.
Eric still had not agreed to letting her get her job back at Galant, and they needed to talk when he was sober. “Alright then.”
The next morning, Hadley woke early.
Nyla, already awake, was tending to the flowers on the terrace, the soft morning light casting a golden glow over the petals.
“Hadley, you are up.” She waved her over. “Breakfast is not ready yet. Come keep me company for a while.”
“Okay.”
Hadley strolled over and lowered herself onto the small chair beside Nyla.
“Hadley.” Nyla set the pruning shears aside, settling down next to the younger woman with a thoughtful gaze. Her eyes traced over Hadley carefully, as if seeing her anew. “You have blossomed into such a remarkable young woman. No wonder the young men are drawn to you. Even I find myself rather fond of you.”
“What?” Hadley’s eyes widened, her voice laced with confusion.
“What are you even saying?”
What young men? Where had that idea come from?
𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧼ⅽ𝗼𝗺⧽
“Oh, playing coy now?” Nyla chuckled, and then cut straight to the heart of the matter. “Tell me, isn’t Denver a young man?”
“We’re not…” Hadley let out a soft, exasperated laugh. Was she still clinging to that notion?
“Alright, alright. Let’s set Denver aside for a moment.” Nyla’s warm expression dimmed just a little, replaced by something more contemplative. “There’s actually someone else I wanted to discuss with you today.”
“What?” Hadley frowned slightly, puzzled.
Someone else?
Nyla exhaled, steadying herself.
For her grandson’s sake, she would cast aside all pride.
“Aside from Denver, I have another candidate in mind. And truthfully, I believe he is the better choice. You and he are far more suited for each other.”
Hadley felt a twinge of apprehension. Another matchmaking attempt? But who could it be? Someone allegedly better than Denver?
If she was already an ill fit for Denver, then someone of an even higher standing was entirely out of the question. “Nyla, I really—”