Chapter 12 His Priority Eric’s voice tightened with irritation, and his brow creased “Could her phone be dead?” Frustrated, he jammed the phone into his pocke. Never mind She’ll be fine” Hadley was capable of looking after herself Surely, if she grew tired of waiting, she’d find her way home wouldn’t she? The day had worn on him, and fatigue was setting in. What he yearned for now was a soothing shower and some downtime. Just as Eric was about to put away his phone for good, he paused “This is more trouble than it’s worth,” he muttered under his breath He then decided to make one last call to Silver Villas. The line rang unanswered until it eventually cut off “What now?” Eric’s scowl intensified. Had Hadley not yet returned home? It was late–impossible she was still at the same place, right? Surely, she wasn’t that overly optimistic, was she? In a fit of frustration, he threw his phone onto the couch. He was done trying to sort this out. He made his way upstairs, longing for the comfort of a hot shower. As the warm water cascaded over him, his thoughts invariably drifted back to Hadley. The hour was late, and she was alone. Despite his reservations about her, he acknowledged his failure to fulfill his promise. “What a nuisance!” Grumbling to himself, Eric shut off the shower, quickly toweled off, and got dressed. He threw on some clothes, snatched his car keys, and hurried down the stairs. While driving, he made a call to the sanatorium. “Could you please check if a young woman named Hadley is still there?” He spoke to the nurse cared for Nyla. “Certainly, Mr. Flynn.” There was a short pause as the nurse left to check. Chapter 12 His Priority “Mr. Flynn, I’m afraid we don’t have anyone here by that name. It’s just our medical team and caregivers now She wasn’t there? Had Hadley managed to leave already? “Alright, thank you.” After hanging up, Eric didn’t hesitate and drove directly to Silver Villas. Upon arrival, he called out, “Hadley!” Eric swung the front door open only to be greeted by darkness, with no trace of Hadley anywhere Could she have already gone to bed? He made his way toward the corner of the ground floor, where the servants‘ quarters were located. “Hold on, which room does she use?” However, before he got there, a light flickering from the bathroom caught his eye. Was that Hadley inside? Peering through the slightly open bathroom door, he saw a glimpse of the scene within There sat Hadley on a stool, her socks removed, examining her feet attentively. “Thank goodness.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “No blisters.” The challenges she had faced had hardened her resilience, forming an invisible armor around her. A two–hour walk was trivial for her. She then gently soaked her feet in a basin filled with water. “Ouch! Hot, hot, hot!” From the doorway, Eric watched, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. Yet, Hadley didn’t withdraw her feet; instead, she sighed in satisfaction. “This is really soothing, Perfect.” “Hadley!” Eric called out from the door. Eric’s shout echoed sharply, causing Hadley to stiffen. As he advanced toward her with clear irritation, Eric’s frustration was evident. He jabbed a finger in her direction. “Where have you been? Didn’t I say to stay put?” Caught off guard, Hadley’s initial irritation quickly morphed into amusement. She burst into laughter, unable to contain herself. Eric halted, his eyes widening as his anger intensified. “What’s so funny? If you had stayed pit w had to scour the city for you? And why is your phone off?” “Right.” Hadley’s laughter faded into a serious expression as she nodded. “Indeed, it’s my mistake. I shouldn’t have walked home myself. I really should have just sat there and waited Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.