NovelEnglishChapter 1616:
Hadley didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Can’t you take a break for just one day?”
“Nope. If | stop now, I'll spiral, and then the headache will really kick in.”
A few days later, in the evening, a storm tore through the sky. In the playroom, Joy and Locke played under
Hadley’s watchful eye.
Her phone rang.
A message from Eric lit up the screen. “I've arrived at the airport.”
She tapped a quick reply. “It’s pouring. Tell the driver to go slow and stay safe.”
“Got it. Don’t worry.”
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Hadley set her phone aside and glanced at the clock, murmuring under her breath, “Ernest should be landing
any minute.”
They'd received his update just the day before—his flight was scheduled to touch down in Srixby today. Eric had
gone to pick him up.
From the moment Ernest left until now, exactly a week had passed—just like he said.
Hadley stared out the window, her thoughts drifting.
The last few days had passed quietly, almost too quietly. Still, something tugged at the edge of her nerves.
Was Linda really out of their lives for good?
Was Ernest doing fine?
Her phone lit up again.
Another message from Eric. “Picked up Ernest. We're heading back.”
“OK. | got it.” She tucked her phone away, rose to her feet, and walked out. To a nearby servant, she said,
“Please bring down everything that belongs to Locke.”
It wouldn't be long now—Ernest would be taking him home.
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“Yes, Miss Pearson.”
“Mommy!” Joy's tiny feet smacked against the floor as she dashed out and wrapped herself around Hadley’s
legs. “I'm hungry.”
“Wore yourself out playing, huh?” Hadley smiled, giving her daughter's chubby cheeks a playful pinch. She
turned to Locke with a gentle grin. “What do you say, kids—snack time?”
“Yes!”
“I'd love that, Aunt Hadley.”
“Then let's go.”
With Joy’s hand in her left and Locke's in her right, Hadley guided them toward the dining room.
Outside, the rain hammered harder, and the evening light dimmed.
By the tEric and Ernest arrived, the kids had just finished their snacks, and Hadley was cleaning their faces
and hands.
“Look at the two of you... food all over your faces.” She chuckled and tapped their noses. “You're like a pair of
messy little kittens.”
“Mommy.” Joy lifted her hand with wide eyes. “Can | have one more?”
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