?Chapter 135:


    “Eric…” Hadley’s voice came out as a whisper, barely believing he was standing there, defending her.


    “I’m here.”


    Though her words were faint, Eric caught them. There was something in her tone—an unspoken reliance on him—that sent an unexpected tightness through his chest.


    His gaze snapped toward the man still holding Hadley’s arm.


    “I said let go. Are you deaf?”


    “You…”


    The middle-aged man finally seemed to recognize him. His grip loosened instantly, his face shifting from confusion to shock.


    “Mr. Flynn,” he stammered.


    “Flynn?”


    Eric scoffed, a sharp, unimpressed sound escaping him. With a flick of his wrist, he shook off the man’s hand as if the very touch were beneath him.


    “So you know who I am. And yet, you still thought you couldy your hands on my wife? Get the hell out of my sight.”


    He didn’t spare the man another nce. His focus was entirely on Hadley.


    Her face had drained of color, her body trembling, her lips pale. She lookedpletely shaken.


    “Hadley?”


    Eric furrowed his brow in concern. Was she really sick? Every time he—or any other manid a hand on her, she reacted like this, panic and fear flooding her.


    Eric racked his brain for an answer. This wasn’t how she used to be—not in the memories he had of her.


    When they were newly married, they had shared a bed. It hadn’t been perfect, but it had been intimate. She had always gravitated toward him, never hesitating to be near him.


    So why was she like this now?


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    Hadley wobbled unsteadily on her feet, and without thinking, Eric moved to catch her. But as soon as his hand lifted, she recoiled, as if his mere presence was something to be feared.


    Eric froze, his frown deepening.


    “I won’ty a hand on you,” he said, his voice steady but firm. “Just tell me—are you okay? Can you walk?”


    “Yes.” Hadley gave a weak nod, forcing herself to respond, though her voice barely rose above a whisper. “I’m fine… Thank you.”


    That cold, distant politeness struck a nerve.


    Hadley had never spoken to him like this before. She had never kept this kind of careful, measured space between them.


    Eric gestured toward the street. “My car’s parked over there. Where are you headed? I’ll take you.”


    “Not up for debate!”


    He cut her off before she could refuse. “I made a promise to Grandma that I’d look after you, and I don’t break my promises. You’re in no condition to be on your own right now. How could I just walk away?”


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