?Chapter 188:


    When he arrived and knocked, Hadley was already in the kitchen, making herself some soup.


    The soup was the only thing she could manage. Her throat ached severely, making swallowing solid food nearly impossible. The consistency of the soup was important—it couldn’t be too thick, or she would struggle to eat.


    At the sound of the knock, she approached the door and opened it to find Eric, his armsden with several bags.


    There he was again.


    “Step back,” he ordered, barging past her as he entered. He dropped the bags on the entryway cab and turned to look at her puzzled expression.


    “What?” His brow furrowed. “Why that look?”


    Hadley gestured toward the bags.


    Eric cleared his throat, slightly ufortable. “These are from Grandma. You think I came here by choice? It’s so cramped, there’s hardly room to move!”


    Despite his grumbling, he made himselffortable on the sofa, sprawling out. He grabbed a cup of water from the table and took arge swallow. Hadley meant to intervene, but it was toote—he had used her cup again.


    When he set the cup down, he realized his mistake. Rather than showing embarrassment, he simply raised an eyebrow at her. “What? There aren’t any other cups. Did you expect me to visit and not have a drink of water?”


    Hadley lowered her eyes, choosing to remain silent.


    “You—”


    Suddenly, another knock interrupted Eric, reverberating through the room. Both turned their heads, their expressions mirroring confusion. Who could it be?


    Hadley approached the door and opened it, revealing Duran standing on the other side.


    She opened her mouth to speak, her voice raspy and weak. “Mr. Murray…”


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    “Hadley.” Duran managed a strained smile, his eyes immediately catching sight of the medicinal patch on her throat. “This is my fault. I’m sorry you were hurt.”


    Instinctively, Hadley touched her throat, shaking her head slightly. She moved to let him in.


    “No, that’s fine.” Duran caught her intention and offered a weak smile in return. “I won’te in. I just need to say a few things, and then I’ll leave.”


    Hadley paused, then nodded slightly. She had an inkling about what wasing.


    Their secret rtionship couldn’t remain hidden much longer, especially after his daughter’s outburst. It was only a matter of time before his son would take action as well.


    “Hadley, I’m truly sorry.” Duran’s voice was somber. “We need to pause our arrangement for now.” As she had expected.


    Hadley froze briefly, her eyshes fluttering as she absorbed his words. “Okay.”


    She knew he didn’t have to make this visit. Their rtionship was strictly business; there were no emotional debts. Though things hadn’t worked out in the end, she still held deep respect for Duran. And he had always respected her in his way.


    Hadley gently touched her throat again, mustering the strength to respond. “It’s… okay. I don’t… hold this against you.”


    “Hadley…” Duran gazed into her eyes, his own betraying a hint of reluctance to part ways. Attempting onest time, he asked, “Could you… possibly wait for me”


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