Chapter 427
“Back to Srixby!” Eric barked, his voice filled with frustration.
Morning crept in, the storm outside still lingering, though its fury had eased since the night before.
Denver stepped back inside, phone in hand.
He had only stepped out for a quick work call, but by the time he returned, Hadley was already awake.
“You’re up?”
“Yeah.”
The thin walls of the observation room did little to muffle sound. She had heard enough to know he was needed elsewhere.
“I’m feeling better. You should go take care of work,” she said.
Before he could argue, she added, “The nurse mentioned Elissa is on her way. She’ll be here soon, so I won’t be alone.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Denver didn’t get up right away. Instead, he studied her for a moment before speaking. “Hadley, do I finally get to be unblocked?”
Her mind stalled.
“I’m not asking for much,” Denver said, his voice cautious, almost hesitant. “I’m trying, Hadley. I just want a chance.”
There was no easy way out of this.
She was fine now, all because of him. Wouldn’t shutting him out now seem ungrateful?
“Please, Hadley. Just take me off your blocked list.”
His eyes held so much quiet hope that she couldn’t bring herself to say no.
After a beat, she gave a small nod. “Alright.”
“Yes!” Denver shot to his feet, grinning. “You said it! No backing out now!”
Hadley chuckled. “I don’t even have my phone. Elissa will bring it when she gets here.”
Before either of them could say more, Denver’s phone buzzed again.
“Go on,” Hadley said. “Work won’t wait forever.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
He had no choice but to leave. With no safety net from his family, his future depended entirely on his own effort. “I’ll head out. Call me if you need anything!”
“Got it.”
Not long after he walked out, Elissa stepped in.
Elissa arrived with soup in hand. “Had the hotel kitchen whip this up early this morning. Here, let me feed you.”
“Alright.”
As Elissa carefully spooned the food to Hadley, her gaze flickered around the room. “Wait… where did he go?”
The sudden question caught Hadley off guard. For a moment, she assumed Elissa meant Denver. “Oh, he had something to take care of. He just left.”
A knowing smile tugged at Elissa’s lips. “Not gonna lie… last night, he stepped off that helicopter and took you away. It was like something straight out of a romance movie!”