Chapter 5 Take Her Back

Time had swiftly flown by; it had been three years...

At Srixby International Airport.

As she navigated her way through the terminal, Hadley's appearance was noticeably vibrant. Her gaze was alert, her eyes serene with an unwavering peacefulness that belied her age.

She soon noticed Sebastian Mitchell, the Flynn family's driver, holding up a sign bearing her name.

Approaching him with a reserved smile, Hadley said, "Sebastian."

Upon observing Hadley, a flicker of astonishment crossed Sebastian's features. "Are you really Mrs. Hadley Flynn?"

"That's me," Hadley replied, her smile softening.

The transformations in her over the years were not lost on her; she had slimmed down and even shot up a bit, thanks to a late growth spurt.

"You've undergone quite the transformation."

Sebastian's initial shock gave way to a warm grin. "You look even lovelier than you did before."

"Your flattery is generous, Sebastian."

"Let's head out."

Following their brief conversation, Sebastian escorted Hadley from the airport. "The vehicle's parked right up front. Mrs. Nyla Flynn has been eagerly anticipating your arrival and has mentioned you several times over the past few days."

Hadley proceeded to the car and settled inside.

As they drove away, it dawned on her that only Sebastian had come to meet her; Eric was notably absent...

Soon, they arrived at Tranquille Sanatorium.

Nyla was dealing with a serious heart issue and was due for an impending surgical procedure.

It was this grave health concern that necessitated Hadley's return after three years. The surgery carried significant risks, and Nyla was bracing for all possibilities...

Her wish, before undergoing surgery, was to reunite with Hadley.

Upon reaching Nyla's room, Nyla's anxious voice could be heard questioning, "Is she here yet? What's taking them so long?"

Knock, knock.

Advancing towards the door, Sebastian knocked lightly.

"Come in!"

He then moved aside, making way for Hadley. "Please, Mrs. Flynn, go ahead."

"Thank you."

Hadley gave a nod and gently pushed the door open.

"Hadley?"

Peering from her bed, Nyla tried to make out the figure at the doorway. The resemblance was there, but uncertainty lingered.

"Nyla."

With swift steps, Hadley approached.

"Is it truly you, Hadley?" Nyla extended her hand with a burst of joy. "Come closer, my dear. Let's have a proper look at you."

Submissively, Hadley grasped Nyla's hand, permitting a close inspection.

"Excellent, just excellent."

Emotion surged within Nyla; her eyes began to tear up and her voice wavered. "You've grown up into such a stunning young woman."

Three years ago, Hadley had departed with a youthful, rounded face. But now, her appearance had changed dramatically.

"Eric insisted on your independence, forbidding me from reaching out. It appears independence truly molds a person, doesn't it?"

At these words, Hadley halted, her smile broadening as she agreed. "Indeed, you're absolutely correct."

Nyla's pride grew as she observed Hadley's composure, softly patting her hand while exhaling a tender sigh.

"The years have truly transformed you, haven't they?"

Hadley hesitated, and then said in a hushed tone, "I was reckless back then. I'm sorry for the worries I caused you."

With a deep sigh, Nyla responded, "You were indeed a bit spoiled, and that's on me. My overindulgence might have led to those errors."

Hadley chose to remain silent, simply pressing her lips tightly together.

Running her fingers through Hadley's hair, Nyla sighed again. "Look at you now, so different. Please understand why I was so stern; it was all out of love. Going forward, be a good girl. You will always be my dearest granddaughter-in-law, understand?"

"I do."

Hadley nodded, her fingers clenched in her lap.

They continued their conversation for a bit longer until Nyla, clearly fatigued, indicated her need for rest.

"I'll let you go now. You've just arrived today. Have the driver take you back to rest."

"Okay."

Leaving the sanatorium behind, Sebastian drove Hadley back to Silver Villas, where she resided with Eric after they got married.

"Get some rest. I'm off."

"Much appreciated, Sebastian."

Hadley paused at the threshold of Silver Villas, inhaling deeply before she nudged the door open and crossed the threshold.

Her fingers shook slightly as she turned the handle.

Given a choice, she would never have returned to this house.

Choices, however, were luxury she couldn't afford now. Wealth was not in her cards.

She had only just come back to Srixby and was yet to secure her own place.

Consider staying in a hotel?

That was out of the question.

Her finances were so strained she would prefer sleeping outdoors rather than squandering money on hotel bills.

Residing in Silver Villas meant tolerating Eric, who obviously detested her.

Yet, fear was no longer part of her vocabulary.

She had faced more than enough judgment over the years. By now, she had learned to weather the worst of it.

Entering the foyer, she placed her suitcase to one side.

Hadley extracted her toiletries and a clean outfit to change into later, opting to keep the rest of her belongings in her suitcase.

Her stay was intended to be brief. Just enough days to secure a permanent spot of her own-no reason to fully unpack.

In the downstairs guest bathroom, Hadley quickly showered, rinsing off the travel grime and fatigue.

As evening fell, there was still no sign of Eric.

Glancing into the kitchen, she noted its apparent disuse. Ingredients were sparse. After rummaging around, she located an almost expired package of noodles and some eggs in the refrigerator.

She set a pot of water on the stove to boil and began to prepare her meal.

The dish was simple: noodles topped with a poached egg, devoid of any meat and vegetables.

Breathing in the aroma, Hadley murmured, "It smells good."

For her, even a humble meal like this was a luxury.

Just as she prepared to eat, a noise from the foyer caught her attention.

She stiffened. It was him-Eric had come home.