Chapter 797

Chapter 797:

Eric stood and made a beeline for the master bedroom. The door wasn’t locked; he twisted the knob and stepped inside.

Hadley perched at the dressing table, gingerly pressing an ice pack to her elbow. The angle was clumsy, forcing her to prop it up with a trembling hand.

The creak of the door caught her ear, and she glanced up as Eric strode in. He crossed the room in a few purposeful steps and gently grasped her wrist to lift her arm for a better look. Mindful of her last injury, he tempered his strength to avoid causing her more pain.

Hadley’s elbow was a sorry sight—swollen, with a stubborn lump bulging beneath her skin, yet she hadn’t bothered to see a doctor.

Eric swallowed his rising frustration, his voice low and firm. “On your feet. We’re heading to the hospital.”

He itched to scoop Hadley up, but hesitated, wary she might squirm and make things worse.

“What?” Hadley blinked, caught off guard. “I told you, I’m not going.”

“Not going?” Eric’s expression darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes. “You think that pitiful ice pack is going to magic the swelling away?”

“I’m giving it a shot—maybe it’ll do the trick,” Hadley shrugged uncertainly.

Eric’s fuse snapped. “Hadley, why do you have to be so pigheaded? Is this about me hitting Denver—are you punishing yourself to spite me?”

Hadley stared in disbelief.

“Or,” Eric spat venomously, “are you holding out for Denver to swoop in and play doctor?”

𝕋𝕣𝕦𝕖 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞: 𝕘ⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝕖𝗅𝕤⫶ⅽ𝗼𝗺

Shock pinned Hadley in place.

“Humph! Well, tough luck!” Eric sneered. “He’s not setting foot here! If you’re too stubborn for the hospital, then wallow in your misery!” With that, he spun on his heel and stormed out, the door banging shut behind him.

Hadley let out a wry, helpless laugh. Brushing off his outburst, she pressed the ice pack back against her elbow. Still, she resolved to go to the hospital tomorrow. The pain was gnawing at her: she needed a blood test to confirm the pregnancy and a doctor’s assessment of her arm.

The next morning, Eric slipped back into the master bedroom to freshen up and change clothes. As he moved toward the closet, faint moans drifted from the bed. He darted to Hadley’s side in an instant.

There she was, eyes squeezed shut, groaning softly—her arm even more swollen than the night before. Enough was enough. He wouldn’t let her dig her heels in any longer.

“Up you get!” Eric dodged her tender elbow and hoisted her carefully into his arms.

“We’re going to the hospital—now!”

“I’m not going!” Hadley protested, cold sweat beading on her brow, but she was no match for Eric’s resolve as he carried her out.

In a last-ditch effort, she cradled his face in her hands and pleaded, “Don’t you have to get to the office? I can manage the hospital on my own—I’ve got the morning free.”

Eric’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering like a fuse. Something felt off. Why was Hadley so determined to keep him away? Was she hiding something—perhaps a clandestine meeting with Denver? Rage flared at the thought.

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