?Chapter 475:


    She knew this road led nowhere, yet she couldn’t turn back.


    For Joy, she would have given up everything—even her life. So really, how unbearable could being with Eric be?


    They each took what they wanted—it was that simple.


    A fair trade.


    Hadley’s fingers curled around his arm, her touch feather-light. “Mm, okay.” Something inside Eric cracked wide open. His chest tightened, pulse thundering in his ears. With one arm wrapped around her, he gently tilted her chin up with the other. His gaze burned into hers.


    “Then… can I kiss you?”


    In that moment, nothing else existed—just her, just this. Just the thought of tasting her lips.


    Hadley gave a small nod.


    But just as Eric started to lean in, her eyelids fluttered and then shutpletely as she slumped against him.


    “Hadley?”


    He froze, staring down at her. Deep, even breaths. Out cold.


    “Seriously…”


    She’d fallen asleep just like that?


    Not that he could me her. N never should’ve let her drink. With how low her tolerance was, it was a miracle she’dsted this long.


    Eric lifted her effortlessly, carrying her out of the bathroom andying her gently on the bed.


    He brushed a few strands of hair from her face, tucking the nket snugly around her.


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    For a long moment, he just sat there, watching her, unwilling to leave. But eventually, he stood.


    “I’ll let it slide tonight,” he murmured, “We have all the time in the world.” With that, he switched off the light and pulled the door shut behind him as he left.


    In the darkness, Hadley’s eyes fluttered open. Shey still, staring at the ceiling, her breath unsteady. Silent tears slipped down her cheeks.


    By morning, Eric was already up—not that he had slept much. He needed to be surest night hadn’t just been a dream.


    Wouldn’t it be possible that Hadley would wake up today, remember nothing, and deny everything? She had been drunk, after all.


    “Hadley?” Eric stood at her door, knocking lightly. “You awake? Mind if Ie in?”


    To his surprise, the door swung open almost instantly.


    Hadley stood there, already dressed. “Need something?”


    “Hadley?” He blinked, caught off guard. Without thinking, he grabbed her hand. “You’re up already? Do you feel alright? Any dizziness?”


    He should’ve made sure she had something for the hangoverst night, but she’d knocked out the moment her head hit the pillow.


    Hadley gave a small nod. “Mm. A little dizzy.”


    Eric’s frown deepened. “If you can’t handle alcohol, don’t drink so much. Even if it’s just to keep Grandmapany, you don’t have to push yourself.”


    “What’s this? Talking about me first thing in the morning?” N’s voice cut through the air.


    She was usually the earliest riser, so finding the two of them up before her was surprising enough. But—


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