Chapter 449
She hadn’t told him about Joy yet.
If they were truly going to move forward, she needed to be honest with him first.
Denver studied her for a moment and then gave a small nod. “Okay.” He didn’t press her. He could sense the shift—Hadley was warming up to him, little by little.
Just moments ago, she had let him hold her.
A quiet smile played on his lips as he gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I’ll be waiting for your good news.”
Meanwhile, in the taxi, Eric’s fingers drummed restlessly against his knee, his expression dark.
“Turn around! Go back to the hotel.”
Hadley made her way back to her room.
Located two floors beneath Denver’s, her journey required an elevator ride. As she stepped out of the elevator, her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number, and the call was domestic.
After a brief pause, Hadley answered. “Hello?”
The voice on the other end sounded vaguely familiar. “Hadley, it’s Wilma Moran.”
Instantly, Hadley tensed. It was Denver’s mother!
Dread began to seep in as she realized Denver had just checked in, and now his mother was calling.
“Mrs. Moran,” Hadley inhaled sharply. “What can I do for you?”
“This isn’t something I can explain over the phone. We need to meet in person,” Wilma replied.
A wave of unease washed over Hadley again. “Mrs. Moran, are you…?”
“Yes,” Wilma answered bluntly.
“I’m at your hotel. Meet me at the lounge café. I’ll be there,” she added before the call abruptly ended.
Staring at her phone, Hadley knew avoidance wasn’t an option. She made up her mind to face whatever came her way.
The café was relatively empty at this time.
As Hadley stepped inside, she immediately spotted Wilma sitting at a window table, her face partially hidden behind sunglasses as she sipped her coffee.
Hadley quickened her steps and approached her. “Mrs. Moran.”
Noticing her arrival, Wilma removed her sunglasses and gestured to the chair across from her. “Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you,” Hadley responded, settling into the chair as instructed. “Would you care for a drink?” Wilma offered, maintaining a courteous demeanor.
“No, thanks,” Hadley replied, declining with a shake of her head.
“You might as well,” Wilma suggested with a smile. “I’m here to talk, not to argue. Relax a little—can I order something for you then?”
Before Hadley could answer, Wilma caught the attention of a server.
“Could we have a hot oat latte here for my friend, please?”
“Of course.”