Chapter 67
Chapter 67:
Before heading out, she grabbed the remaining two pieces of bread from the refrigerator.
She made her way back to her new rental. Fortunately, the peak of rush hour had subsided, leaving the roads open and easier to navigate.
Upon arriving, Hadley unlocked her new home, placed her suitcase inside, and rolled up her sleeves, ready to clean. She diligently wiped down every surface, dusted all areas, and neatly arranged her belongings.
By the time she finished, the day had turned into night.
Feeling her stomach rumble, Hadley remembered the bread she had eaten on the bus ride—it had hardly satisfied her after all the cleaning.
With her wallet in tow, Hadley secured her apartment and walked to the nearby supermarket. She bypassed the better options, opting instead for a huge loaf of bread, some pickles, and a jar of peanut butter.
Once home, Hadley prepared a simple meal—peanut butter sandwiches with some pickles.
Options were few. Without any income yet and after parting with $5,200, she had to make each dollar last.
The $5,000 from the police settlement wasn’t her choice, but Hadley was adamant about not letting Eric handle it. She was determined to sever all ties with him.
Luckily, Hadley had a job now and would soon get her first paycheck. She would have to stretch her budget until then, but at least she wouldn’t starve.
This situation didn’t faze her; she had endured far worse.
Back in Blathe, Hadley had once rummaged through restaurant bins for food.
At least now she could afford some bread and pickles, and she no longer faced the harsh glares or had to compete with homeless people over discarded food. Gone was the delicate young woman the Flynn family had once sheltered.
Late that night, Eric arrived back at Silver Villas around two in the morning. The living room was shrouded in darkness, with only the dim light from a streetlamp filtering through the window. Entering, Eric instinctively looked toward the sofa.
He stopped, blinked, thinking perhaps his eyes were deceiving him, and looked again. But no, his initial observation was correct.
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The sofa was unoccupied.
Confusion set in. Wasn’t Hadley supposed to be there? It was incredibly late. Where could she be?
Eric let out a derisive snort. “Done playing the helpless card? Finally got herself a room?”
A wave of dizziness washed over him, prompting him to shake his head clear. Tonight, he had inadvertently overindulged in alcohol.
Without further ado, he made his way upstairs.
The following morning, Eric emerged late from bed, nursing a hangover that was tempered slightly by a refreshing shower.
Downstairs, his housekeeper, Lina Hinks, was tidying up.
Upon spotting him, she approached quickly. “Mr. Flynn, I found this on the table for you. Please, have a look.”
“What’s this?”