?Chapter 8:


    Nerves made Hadley’s mouth dry.


    “It’s me.”


    “What do you want?” Eric asked, his voice tinged with annoyance.


    Surprised by his harsh tone, Hadley stuttered,


    “I tried to reach N, but her number seems to be disconnected.”


    Eric responded coldly,


    “Why do you need Grandma? You just left, and you’re already trying to pull her back into your problems?”


    Hadley quickly rified,


    “That’s not it…”


    Eric didn’t let her finish.


    “Don’t bother trying to contact Grandma. I’ve changed her number to keep you from disturbing her.”


    Hadley stood speechless, tears starting to form in her eyes.


    She knew Eric couldn’t stand her, but wasn’t her leaving the country enough?


    Did he really have to cut her off from N too?


    N had always shown her kindness, and she cherished their bond.


    “Anything else?” Eric’s voice was losing patience. “We sent you abroad to be more self-reliant, not to continue relying on us like you’ve done all your life. I’m going to hang up now!”


    “Wait, please!” Hadley interjected quickly, desperation clear in her voice. “It’s regarding the living expenses… they haven’t been sent yet.”


    “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?”


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    He paused briefly, his tone bing 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 ended.


    sping 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 disyed.


    The arrival of her child was approaching. Despite the doctor’s rmendation for early hospitalization due to the baby’s breech position, Hadley merely smiled and remained silent.


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