?Chapter 151:


    “I’m fine…”


    “Fine? Look at you!” N gave her a scrutinizing once-over. “You’ve only been back in Srixby for what—a few weeks? And you’ve already… shrunk to half your size.”


    Eric, who had been silent, flicked his gaze toward Hadley. His mind wandered to her cramped little ce on West Twelfth Alley. No matter how many times he thought about it, he couldn’t make sense of it. Why did she insist on living like that? A dry chuckle slipped past his lips.


    “Lost weight?” he mused bitterly. “Serves her right. She has no one to me but herself.”


    “What are youughing at?” N’s sharp voice snapped him back to the present.


    “Grandma…” Eric hesitated, clearing his throat awkwardly. “It’s nothing.”


    N pointed a firm finger at him. “Before you leave, take some of these back for Hadley.”


    During her stay, visitors had showered N with gifts. The room was practically bursting with them. She had already shared plenty with the doctors and nurses, but there was still an overwhelming amount left.


    Hadley quickly shook her head. “N, I don’t need them.”


    “They are for you. Take them.”


    N refused to hear otherwise. “I chose things that will do you good—food, daily necessities. Don’t let them go to waste. Eric will help bring them back to Silver Vis.”


    In her mind, Hadley still lived at Silver Vis. After all, Eric had more properties than he needed, so if anyone had to move after the separation, it certainly wouldn’t have been her.


    Hadley knew that declining too forcefully might tip N off. With a reluctant nod, she relented. “Thank you. I will take them then.”


    “Why are you acting like we are strangers?” N then turned to Eric with a re. “Did you hear what I just said? Why are you so quiet all of a sudden? Have you lost your tongue?”


    “I heard you loud and clear.” Eric begrudgingly acknowledged her words, his voiceced with reluctance he made no effort to hide. “No need to fret, Grandma. I’ll make sure both she and the things arrive home safely. Is that enough?”


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    Beneath the surface, Eric sneered. Did Hadley really care about any of this?


    After a while, Hadley and Eric rose to leave together. They loaded the gifts into the trunk of Eric’s car, each item a small weight added to a growing burden.


    In silence, they drove to West Twelfth Alley, Eric at the wheel and Hadley nestled in the back seat. When they reached the alley entrance, the car rolled to a stop. With a sullen demeanor, Eric silently unloaded the items from the trunk and set them down on the asphalt.


    “Thank you,” Hadley said, noticing his irritated expression. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Just leave them here. I’ll manage.”


    Eric’s mood darkened further. She nned on carrying them herself? Hauling such heavy loads over a long stretch and up the stairs? It was impossible to do in one trip. Did she really think he was just a useless spectator?


    Ignoring his inner turmoil, Hadley bent down to grab the items. Suddenly, a voice called out to her.


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