?Chapter 155:


    No cup?


    Eric’s gaze flicked to the table, where a lemon-yellow mug sat. He pointed at it. “What about that one?”


    “That’s… mine!” Before she could finish, Eric had already grabbed it and downed the water in one go.


    Hadley froze, staring nkly. Guess I’ll just wash itter, she thought.


    As Eric set the mug back down, he noticed her slightly puffed cheeks. Then, it hit him.


    “Wait. That was yours?”


    Hadley lifted an eyebrow. What else could it be? Was he expecting someone else to be here?


    Eric let out a low chuckle. “You’re really something, you know that? I help you out, take one sip from your mug, and suddenly I’m the bad guy?”


    That wasn’t the case.


    Hadley opened her mouth, ready to set him straight, but before she could, his phone rang.


    He nced at the screen, and his expression shifted in an instant.


    “It’s me. Go on.”


    Judging by his tone, it was something work-rted.


    “Got it. I’m on my way now.”


    Eric ended the call and turned toward her. “I need to go.”


    “Alright.” Hadley nodded, walking with him to the door. As he stepped out, she said, “Drive safe.”


    “Yeah.”


    Eric gave a slight nod before heading down the stairs. For a brief second, something strange settled over him—almost like a husband leaving for work while his wife saw him off.


    But when he reached thest step, Eric slowed, ncing back toward her ce. His expression darkened.


    gα?ησν????s??????? brings great stories


    How was he going to convince Hadley to leave this dump of a neighborhood?


    Hadley hardly spared another thought for Eric’s visit. The moment he left, it was already slipping from her mind, no more than a passing breeze that barely registered.


    Right now, she had far more pressing concerns. Money.


    After turning it over in her head countless times, Hadley found herself considering someone she had sworn never to contact again.


    Not under any circumstances. Not even if her life depended on it. But she was still alive, and she desperately needed help. For the sake of her child, she had no choice but to swallow her pride.


    With a deep breath, she pulled out a phone number she hadn’t touched in years. Her fingers trembled as she dialed it. Did he still have the same number after all this time?


    She pressed the call button, holding her breath.


    The line connected.


    A voice—one she hadn’t heard in so long, yet still painfully familiar—answered. “Hello? Who’s this?”


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