Chapter 94
Chapter 94:
This sight darkened Eric’s mood, and he approached them briskly, casting a brief glance at Marshall.
“Marshall.”
Eric pointedly disregarded Hadley.
“Hey, buddy.” Marshall nodded.
Just then, Xander and Theodore entered with breakfast.
Though Marshall had informed Eric of his visit, Hadley’s presence was unexpected.
As they arranged the meal, Xander noted, “We only have two portions.”
Marshall responded swiftly, “No problem. Hadley, come over here. You can have mine.”
Hadley hesitated, and Eric was noticeably surprised. Since when were Hadley and Marshall so close?
“There’s no need—”
“No!”
Hadley initially resisted but was interrupted by another voice—Eric’s. Marshall, caught off guard, looked back and forth between them. What exactly was happening here?
He shot Eric a questioning look and said softly, “What’s the issue? It’s merely breakfast.”
Despite knowing Eric’s feelings toward Hadley, Marshall still thought he was overreacting.
He then decisively took his breakfast and set it in front of Hadley. “Go ahead and eat, Hadley. Ignore him. This is my breakfast, and I’m sharing it with you. If you refuse, it would be as though you’re disrespecting me.”
With reluctance, Hadley accepted the meal. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Marshall replied with a big grin.
Marshall’s playful expression brought a smile to Hadley’s face, her dimples peeking through.
Your favorite tales live at gⱯlnσν𝒆𝓁s．𝒄𝓸𝓂
Upon seeing another smile from her, Eric’s frustration grew, and he was on the brink of reacting.
Suddenly, a distressed whimper was heard from the inner room. Instantly, they all stood, their expressions tense as they rushed to investigate.
Inside, they heard the caregiver saying, “It’s okay, Mrs. Flynn. We’re just changing your sheets and helping you clean up.” Nyla resisted, visibly upset, shaking her head.
Eric approached with concern. “What happened?” he asked the caregiver.
The caregiver explained, “Mrs. Flynn had her catheter removed last night, but she’s still feeling the effects of the anesthesia and has become incontinent.”
Nyla, always a strong figure, struggled to accept her current state.
“Grandma,” Eric started, unsure of what to do. “Please, let them help you,” he suggested.
Nyla, silent, gestured dismissively and closed her eyes.
“I’ll take care of it.”
Hadley stepped forward, reaching to hold Nyla’s hand.
“Nyla, it’s me, Hadley. Let me help you, okay? I’m no stranger. I would’ve cared for my own grandmother this way.”
“Hadley?”
Nyla opened her eyes and firmly held onto Hadley’s hand. Though she hadn’t been fully aware before, she recognized Hadley’s aid. She remembered how Hadley had sucked out the mucus she was choking on with her own mouth when the sputum aspirator failed. Meanwhile, Eric had just stood there when it all happened. Though he wasn’t necessarily neglectful, it was undeniably brave and selfless for Hadley to do that for Nyla.