Chapter 477
“Well,” Nyla turned to Ernest. “You, as the older brother, heard him. If Eric slips up, you’d better hold him accountable too!”
“Mm…”
Ernest, sitting in his wheelchair, managed a forced smile and nodded slowly.
His gaze lingered on Hadley, a quiet depth in his eyes.
Linda caught the look and couldn’t suppress a sneer.
Was Ernest upset? But what would that change?
Hadley had once been his sister-in-law.
In a way, she still was.
No matter how deep his feelings for her ran, he had to bury them. It was the only choice.
“Nyla,” Linda said, steadying the wheelchair, “Ernest didn’t get much rest at the hospital last night. I brought him back early this morning so he could sleep. I’ll take him to his room now.”
“Alright, alright,” Nyla replied, nodding with understanding and stepping aside. “You two go on ahead and get some rest.”
“Okay,” Linda responded as she gently wheeled Ernest upstairs.
She settled Ernest into his bed, giving his hand a soft pat. “Get some rest. I’ll check on you soon.”
As she stood to leave, Ernest reached out, gripping her hand.
“Ernest?”
Linda glanced down at him, noticing the complexity in his gaze. Though he could manage short sentences now, words seemed beyond his reach with her. But Linda could read the uncertainty in his eyes.
He and Hadley were a lost cause now…
She squeezed his hand reassuringly, her voice soft. “Ernest, let’s leave the past behind, okay? From now on, let’s focus on living our own lives well.”
He stared at her for a long moment before giving a reluctant nod. “Mm, okay.”
Linda felt a sharp pang of unease. Was he agreeing out of obligation? Was letting go of Hadley truly so difficult for him?
When she went downstairs again, Eric was just about to head to the garage to fetch the car and take Hadley out.
“Eric,” Linda called out.
“Linda,” Eric replied, his expression unexpectedly bright.
Linda paused, taken aback. Eric seemed genuinely happy. She’d known him the longest in this family, but she’d never seen him this happy.
Was it Hadley? Was being with her the source of this newfound joy?
Ha! What made her so special? How did she manage to capture both Flynn brothers’ hearts so entirely?
Hadley came up from behind.
Linda noticed and shot Eric a sharp look.
“Eric, I want to thank you.”
Eric blinked, confused. “Thank me for what?”
“For what I asked last time…” Linda’s voice wavered, her eyes misting slightly.
“I never thought you’d actually do it. You and Hadley really…”