NovelEnglishChapter 160 How Long Do You ExpectTo Wait
Upon arriving back in Srixby, Hadley dedicated the next two days to making Joy comfortable.
Joy already had a nanny waiting-Melba Hammond, a warm-hearted woman in her forties who quickly gained
Joy's trust with her gentle voice and attentive manner.
Not long after, Hadley’s phone rang, and Mathias was on the other end.
He had good news for her. “I found you a specialist. He's one of my friends back in med school. I've filled him in
on Joy’s situation, so you can relax-he’ll handle everything.”
Hadley felt a profound sense of relief.
“I can’t thank you enough, Dr. Williams.”
“It’s merely part of my responsibilities.”
His voice softened further, revealing genuine concern beyond professional boundaries. “Remember, if anything
comes up, just call me. I'll be here for you.”
“I really appreciate it.”
A brief silence followed before Mathias cautiously broached the sensitive subject again. “Have you reconsidered
contacting Joy's father? Haven't spoken with him yet? Honestly, another child would be your best option. Joy's
young. A full sibling would tically boost her chances-over ninety percent, in fact. She will have a real
chance to live a completely normal life...”
This wasn’t the first tMathias had mentioned this possibility.
Yet each time, Hadley had firmly refused.
“I'm only offering this advice as a friend,” Mathias gently said. “It's your safest and surest path forward.”
A thoughtful silence stretched between them before Hadley eventually answered, “I know. Thanks, Dr. Williams.”
After sorting everything out at home, Hadley knew it was tto return to the stage.
Ever since what happened in Blathe, she had to stepped in for her injured colleagues, turning her into a headline
attraction with performances scheduled almost nightly.
That night, while Hadley carefully applied her makeup backstage, several crew members walked in, beaming,
their arms full of enormous flower baskets. “Hadley, any idea where we should put these?”
From their playful smiles, it was obvious every single bouquet belonged to her.
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Smiling lightly in surprise, Hadley motioned toward a free spot. Just place them over there. Are those all really
for me?”
Receiving flowers was a common gesture in her profession, but today it bordered on overwhelming
“All yours.” A member of the crew laughed softly. “Courtesy of Mr. Flynn. He probably had no clue what kind you
prefer, so he went a bit overboard and sent one of everything”
Mr. Flynn?
Surprise flickered briefly across Hadley’s face. So, Eric had returned?
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His recent message had certainly caught her eye. Now, his first move upon coming hwas this extravagant
display.
Yet Hadley barely acknowledged the flowers as she finished applying her makeup, soon stepping confidently
onto the brightly lit stage.
Later, once the performance ended, she casually checked her phone.
Eric's nflashed across the screen.
“I'm back in town. Could we talk tonight?”
After calmly reading his message, Hadley set her phone aside without responding, proceeding to remove her
makeup and slip into her casual clothes.
As she left for home, she halted abruptly when someone blocked her path.
“Miss Pearson...”
“Oh!”
With her heartbeat racing, Hadley frowned slightly at the stranger who'd appeared so suddenly. “Can | help
you?”
“I apologize,” he quickly replied, embarrassment evident on his face.
The man appeared to be in his thirties, neatly dressed and professional-looking, yet oddly anxious standing in
front of her.
“Forgive me, did | startle you? That wasn’t my intention.”
“No harm done.” Relaxing slightly, Hadley smiled faintly. “My mind was elsewhere... Did you have something to
tell me?”
“I do.”
With evident admiration, the man continued, “I've watched several of your shows. You're... truly remarkable on
stage.”
Perhaps he was a fan?
Warmly, Hadley replied, “I appreciate you coming to watch.”
“Ah, no problem...” Clearly nervous, the man stumbled slightly over his words. “If... um... if you're not too busy,
would you... um... be interested in um... joiningfor coffee?”
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< Chapter 160 How Long Do You ExpectTo Wait
As the man spoke, Hadley spotted Eric stepping out of a car across the street. He was approaching quickly, his
expression growing darker with each step.
His eyes narrowed into a scowl.
The moment Eric spoke, his tone was sharp. “Are you done yet?”
“What?” The man jolted in surprise, spinning around to face Eric with wide eyes. “You're... you're-"
“What about me?”
With undisguised contempt, Eric fixed the stranger with a hard stare before asking Hadley bluntly, “Are you
seriously thinking about having coffee with this guy? He can barely string a sentence together.”
Annoyance flickered across Hadley’s face.
Was it necessary for Eric to embarrass the man so openly?
Not that she’d planned on accepting the invitation anyway. With an apologetic smile toward the man, she gently
said, “I usually skip coffee this late, but it was thoughtful of you to ask.”
The
“Oh, right.”
The stranger glanced awkwardly at Eric. “I-I didn’t realize you were with someone. Sorry to interrupt.”
Eric raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased by the boyfriend comment. “Goodnight.”
“Ah, sure! Bye!”
Embarrassed, the man quickly retreated, nearly tripping over himself.
Once the stranger disappeared from sight, Eric turned to Hadley, displeasure lingering in his tone. “Tell me
honestly. If | hadn't intervened, would you have gone with him?”
Hadley met his gaze with a cool, half-hearted smile.
“Should that concern you?”
She turned and walked down the stairs.
“Hadley!”
In his frustration, Eric caught her arm and yanked her close, his breath caressing her skin.
“Answer me-do you expectto keep waiting? How much longer will you havewait?”
“Are you losing your patience?”
Hadley stood her ground, seeing no value in resisting. “I never asked you to wait. You don’t have to-"
“But | must.”
Worried she might tell him to leave, Eric quickly cut her off. “I'll wait as long as you wishto.”
He felt slightly aggrieved and said, “I'm not impatient, alright? You're imagining things.”
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Chapter 160 How Long Do You ExpectTo Wait
Hadley shrugged him off and resumed her walk.
“Con, get in the car. I'll drive you home.” Eric knew better than to expect her immediate compliance.
He had csolely to see her.
True to routine, he stopped the car at Mayfield Road's entrance.
“Hadley.”
Before she could exit, Eric held on to her. “Will you be heading hthis weekend? Grandma is aware of the
Blathe incident. | assured her you were unharmed, yet she remains concerned.”
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Hadley acknowledged with a nod. “Alright, | get it.”
Pleased, Eric beamed. “Then I'll be there waiting.”
Hadley neither confirmed nor denied, simply stepped out of the car and walked away. Her new place was not far
from Mayfield Road.
Once she reached her apartment, the sound of Joy's cries greeted her immediately.
“Waaah...”
Joy!
Hearing that, Hadley felt a surge of panic and quickly made her way to Joy's room.
“Mommy!” Crying, Joy leaped into her mother’s embrace, clearly distressed.
Melba gave a weary sigh and explained, “She’s taken her medicine. It seemed fine at first, but then she began to
throw up.”
Cradling her daughter, Hadley felt her heart was breaking apart.
They had recently switched locations, consulted new doctors, and altered treatment approaches. The doctor had
warned that Joy might struggle to adjust.
Now, they were facing a complication.
Regrettably, this was not Joy's first encounter with such a reaction.
As long as her condition remained, bouts of pain would surface without warning!
In that instant, Mathias‘ observations echoed in her mind. Joy’s latest doctor, a younger colleague of his, had
said the sthing.
“Have you thought about reaching out to Joy's father, perhaps considering another child?”
Internally, Hadley resisted the idea.
But she loved Joy so much!
She wished she could take on all of Joy's suffering herself, even if it cost her own life...
That night, Hadley remained by Joy's side.
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< Chapter 160 How Long Do You ExpectTo Wait
Seeing her daughter's tear-streaked face, she found herself unable to sleep.
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