Chapter 4 She Had No Right To Give Up “Really?” Eric’s smile was cold, dripping with scorn. “So, this is about money, isn’t it? Not even a month has passed. What’s the hurry? Rest assured, you’ll receive your due. Just be patient. Surely, you don’t think we’d let you go hungry?” He paused briefly, his tone becoming terse. “Avoid calling me unless it’s urgent. I’ll get in touch if there’s any need.” With those final words, the conversation abruptly ceased. Clasping the phone tightly, Hadley’s shock was evident. To such an extent, Eric despised her. “Absurd.” With a frail chuckle, Hadley’s face turned ashen. Requesting money from him had left her feeling profoundly demeaned. In silence, she lifted her hand to her unchanged stomach, closed her eyes, and allowed tears to escape quietly. Eight months had passed. Hadley was sleeping peacefully in her modest room, her pregnant belly prominently displayed. The arrival of her child was approaching. Despite the doctor’s recommendation for an early hospitalization due to the baby’s backside position, Hadley merely smiled and remained silent. Her pockets were empty. Chapter 4 She Had No Right To Give Up Eight months earlier, following that call with Eric, he had spewed nothing but cruelty. Yet, the financial support he promised never materialized. Hadley had drained her savings. With no way to afford her apartment anymore, she ended up in a run–down neighborhood. She never reached out to him for financial help again. The thought of being labeled a parasite was unbearable. After moving, Hadley managed to secure some part–time work, balancing it with her Her earnings were limited, but through careful budgeting, she made enough to sustain herself. As she drifted in sleep, the night erupted with cries of alarm. “Fire!” The shout pierced the air. “Escape!” Roused abruptly, Hadley leaped from her bed and threw open her door to a scene of utter chaos. Smoke engulfed the corridor as flames danced violently. Her complexion drained of color in an instant. “Hadley!” Her neighbor, a fellow student, was frantic with worry as he caught sight of her. “Why haven’t you fled? It’s a fire! Get out now!” “Right, got it!” In a rush, Hadley spun around to snatch her backpack. She moved to venture deeper into her apartment, but her neighbor’s firm grip stopped her. “Are you out of your mind? Why are you heading back in? Leave immediately!” “I must!” Hadley’s frustration was clear as she stamped her foot. Inside, her savings lay–every single penny she had painstakingly gathered for her baby’s < Chapter 4 She Had No fight To Give Up future needs: hospital bills, diapers, and baby formula. “I need to retrieve it!” Hadley moved to step further, but at that moment, a flaming beam from the ceiling crashed down in front of her. Hadley instinctively stepped back, narrowly avoiding injury. The way forward was now obstructed by debris. “Hadley! Escape now!” With a desperate shake of her head, she couldn’t consider leaving Breaking away, she made a reckless dash into the danger. A fierce blast of wind propelled the fire closer to her. Turning swiftly, Hadley felt the flames lick at her lower back, eliciting a sharp wince of pain. “Hadley!” Her neighbor reached out and yanked her to safety. “Are you hurt?” “I’m fine.” Hadley dismissed his concern with a shake of her head, even as coughs wracked her body, spurred by the engulfing smoke. “Let’s go, now!” Clutching her arm, her neighbor pleaded, “You can’t return inside!” “But…” “Consider your child! The smoke alone could kill you both! If you go back, it might cost both your lives. Escape now!” Led almost forcibly by her neighbor, Hadley managed to flee from the blaze. At that moment, the flames had already seared Hadley’s back, and she had ed to retrieve her savings. Powerless, she watched as her modest home was consumed by fire, crumbling to mere ashes. What was she to do next? 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.