?Chapter 247:


    “Just hear me out first.” N patted Hadley’s hand, already bracing for the rejection that was sure toe. “It’s… Eric.”


    Hadley stood frozen, her lips parted in stunned silence.


    Of all the things she had braced herself for, N speaking on Eric’s behalf was nowhere on that list.


    “s…” N let out another weary sigh, the sound carrying the weight of unspoken years. “I know, Hadley. Bringing this up now—it’s utterly shameless of me. Back then, he was the one who cast you aside. And now, he’s the one reaching out, trying to reim what he once threw away.”


    Lines of exasperation deepened on her face as she rubbed her temples. That grandson of hers—always stirring up trouble, always making things difficult for her.


    “But Hadley, he came to me himself. He said he wanted you back, that this time, he intended to do things right. And tell me, as his grandmother, how could I turn him away?”


    She watched Hadley’s expression with careful precision, measuring every flicker of emotion.


    “I can tell he’s not ying games this time… And Hadley, let’s not pretend—haven’t you carried a torch for him longer than you care to admit? If you were to take him back, wouldn’t that mean you finally grasped the very thing you’ve been reaching for all this time?”


    “N…”


    Hadley’s face was nk, devoid of any emotion. She slowly shook her head. “I’m done with Eric.”


    N froze, a chill running through her.


    She’d heard those words before.


    Thest time, Hadley hade to the sanatorium, saying the same thing—pleading for N to support her decision to divorce.


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    Back then, N had thought Hadley was holding back, burdened by things she couldn’t voice.


    “Are you scared, Hadley?” N asked softly. “Scared he’ll slip back into his old habits? That he’ll push you away again?”


    She exhaled a soft, steady breath before adding, “It won’t happen. This time’s different. It’s not me asking for it—Eric’s the one making the choice. You know how he is. Once he’s set on something, nothing can sway him. If he promises something, you can count on him to follow through.”


    Hadley believed that with every part of her.


    When his brother had the ident, Eric had been there, unwavering by his hospital bed, swearing that from then on, Linda would be his responsibility.


    And he had kept that vow, without fail.


    But even so, Hadley couldn’t bring herself to agree. “That’s not my concern.”


    “Then what is?”


    Hadley managed a small, bitter smile. She’d already said this before, so all she could do was repeat herself again. “I just… I don’t love him anymore.”


    N was speechless, caught off guard for a moment.


    If Hadley had only said it once or twice, N might have written it off as pride or the fear of being hurt again.


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