?Chapter 194:


    The candle fell to the floor as she leapt back in fright.


    “Hadley! Hadley?”


    Eric was bewildered by the sudden chaos. As Hadley leapt towards him, his reflexes took over, and he instinctively reached out to catch her.


    In an instant, Hadley clung to him like a lifeline.


    Oblivious to her own reaction, she gripped Eric’s neck tightly.


    Screams muffled in panic.


    Caught off guard, Eric found himself supporting a trembling bundle of warmth against his chest. He swallowed nervously, securing her more firmly with one hand while gently cradling the back of her head with the other, pulling her closer.


    Their cheeks brushed, and her unique fragrance enveloped him, filling his senses. She felt incredibly soft and smelled so sweet…


    His tone involuntarily softened. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”


    Jolted by his reassuring words, Hadley realized what she had done—she had impulsively thrown herself into Eric’s arms. She quickly started to pull away, saying, “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to cling like that.”


    Eric remained still, either missing her intent or ignoring it, as he chuckled softly. “What got you so scared?”


    Hadley, her cheeks warming with embarrassment, muttered, “I think it was a cockroach.”


    In a ce like this, encountering cockroaches wasn’t unusual. Despite her efforts with insecticide, a few persistent critters remained.


    She ced a hand against his chest, saying softly, “I’m alright now. You can let go.”


    “Sure.”


    Eric nodded, but he didn’t release her just yet. Instead, he carried her to the sofa, lowering her carefully onto the cushions.


    His fingers hesitated, barely grazing her as he began to withdraw. Clearing his throat, which felt constricted and rough, Eric whispered, “Hadley…”


    Feel inspired on g?lnσν????s．cо??


    “What?” Peering upward, Hadley tried to discern his features in the low light. “What’s going on?”


    Eric’s voice faltered. His heartbeat thundered, loud and chaotic, his breathing intense. Instinctively, his embrace tightened as he moved nearer, his head lowering toward hers.


    In the shroud of darkness, his lips sought hers with surprising uracy. He felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her.


    The desire was immediate andpelling.


    Abruptly, light burst through the room, causing Hadley and Eric to instinctively close their eyes against its re.


    “Look, the power’s back!”


    A wave of relief washed over Hadley as she opened her eyes. Yet, she suddenly stopped short.


    Eric’s face, undeniably handsome, loomed close enough that their breaths mingled. His lips, tantalizingly close, seemed poised to meet hers.


    This closeness—was he about to kiss her?


    Panic fluttered in Hadley’s chest, her skin damp with a nervous sweat. Surely not. Eric’s known disdain for her made such a thoughtughable. Perhaps the darkness had tricked his senses.


    .


    .


    .