?Chapter 249:


    Good or bad, the oue was his to face.


    N nced at her grandson. “Did you hear everything?”


    “Yes.” Eric’s face remained unreadable, betraying no hint of emotion.


    N exhaled, a deep, heavy sigh. “Then it’s time to move on.”


    “Grandma.” Eric’s hands clenched into fists, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “I can’t.”


    “What?” N’s voice shook with disbelief as she turned sharply toward her grandson. “What do you mean you can’t? We agreed on this! You heard Hadley—she doesn’t want any part of it! You of all people should know that forced love never works!”


    He had married Hadley against his own wishes once before.


    And look how that turned out. Was it ever truly happy?


    The mention of the past darkened Eric’s expression, the mood shifting with a coldness that lingered.


    “Eric,” N said, grabbing his hand with a pleading grip. “Please, don’t do this. It’s not right.”


    Seeing his grandmother so upset, Eric chuckled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Grandma, why are you so worried? I won’t hurt her.”


    How could he bear to hurt the woman he desired?


    “Good to hear. I can never bear to see her get hurt,” N said with a relieved breath. “Hadley’s a fine woman. The more I get to know her, the more I like her.”


    Eric’s lips twitched into the smallest of smiles. “She is.”


    Breakfast was served, but while Eric came to the table, N stayed behind.


    “Have you seen N?” Hadley asked, pushing a te toward him.


    Eric pulled out a chair and settled in, taking a slow sip of his coffee. “She wasn’t feeling well, so she went back upstairs. Kira’s bringing her breakfastter.”


    Hadley nodded, though a flicker of doubt crossed her eyes.


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    N had seemed fine just moments ago. Perhaps she was still feeling the effects of her recovery, or maybe she was simply exhausted from attending to her flowers.


    Hadley sat across from Eric, unsure of how to begin.


    “Um…”


    Before she could speak, Eric reached across the table and held something up to her.


    “What?”


    Hadley blinked, herrge eyes filled with confusion, unsure of what he meant.


    A soft chuckle escaped Eric. “What, you don’t recognize it? Isn’t this how you like it? Say ‘ah.''”


    Hadley looked down, her gaze drifting to the piece of baguette he held, dipped in creamy mushroom soup.


    Her heart jolted in her chest.


    Yes, she remembered how much she liked it this way—back when she still lived with the Flynns.


    For a moment, she was lost in thought. He… actually remembered?


    “Quick. Open your mouth,” Eric said, his impatience clear. “My arm’s getting tired.”


    “Uh…” Hadley felt a flush of awkwardness. She quickly waved her hand. “No, it’s okay. I can manage on my own—”


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