?Chapter 132:


    “Hadley!”


    Eric was determined not to let her stay.


    “Do you realize the nature of this neighborhood? West Twelfth Alley is no ce for someone like you. The people here, they’re dangerous!”


    Dangerous?


    True enough.


    As a dancer at a nightclub, Hadley was no stranger to eclectic crowds.


    “It’s not a problem,” Hadley responded nonchntly. “I keep to myself, Eric. I avoid trouble.”


    Eric was taken aback by her defiance,pletely thrown off.


    “The night is advancing.”


    Hadley approached the door and swung it open. “It’s time for bed. You should leave.”


    She was clearly showing him out.


    Eric realized he had no leverage. He couldn’t force her to leave.


    “Mr. Flynn?” Hadley arched an eyebrow, gesturing towards the door.


    “It’s time to leave.”


    Taking a deep breath, Eric stepped out.


    Yet as he crossed the threshold, he feltpelled to say one more thing. “Hadley, you—”


    “I’m quite alright.” Interrupting him, Hadley smiled warmly. “No need to worry about N, Eric. She’s on board. I’ll speak with her again. She won’t dy much longer, I assure you.”


    Eric paused, surprised. Did she really think that was what he was after?


    He started to object, but then reconsidered. Wasn’t the divorce truly what he was after all along?


    “It’ste.” Hadley smiled softly. “Drive safely.” She then gently closed the door behind him.


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    Eric was enveloped by darkness. This dreadful ce!


    If Hadley chose to remain here, so be it. It wasn’t his role to make her miserable. If she was determined to endure this, what could he do? Resolute, Eric turned and hastened down the stairs, his decision firm. The stairwell was pitch ck. Abruptly, Eric halted. Something sticky snagged his foot.


    “What the hell is that?”


    A slick, unpleasant sensation clung to the bottom of Eric’s shoe, sending a shudder up his spine.


    He aimed his phone’s shlight downward, only to find that he had stepped on something soft—and clearly edible.


    Disgust twisted his expression as he yanked his foot back. Irritated, he stomped twice, shaking off the remnants, and then strode forward, his patience already wearing thin. Behind him, Hadley threw the door wide open.


    She had just realized that, without meaning to, she might have dropped her pumpkin soup earlier when she was startled by Eric’s presence at her doorstep.


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