?Chapter 479:


    He inhaled sharply, forcing himself to stayposed. “Alright, maybe I jumped the gun. But can we not talk about breaking up when we’ve barely even started?”


    Hadley arched a brow, almost amused by his reaction.


    “But eventually we’ll go our separate ways, won’t we?” She really thought that?


    Eric’s chest tightened, his mind reeling. Was that how people approached rtionships now? Like an expiration date was already stamped on them? Wasn’t the whole point of being together to build toward somethingsting—marriage, family, a future?


    His voice came out quieter than he intended, confusion flickering in his eyes.


    “Is that really how you see this? Just something temporary?”


    Hadley held his gaze, unwavering.


    “Yes. That’s exactly what I wanted to make clear. We can be together, but that’s it. No expectations. If it stops working, we walk away. Simple.”


    Ha! That easy?


    Eric huffed a quietugh, though there was no humor in it. Unbelievable! They had barely begun, and she was already nning for the end.


    Pushing down the irritation prickling at his skin, he asked, “And what if things do work out?”


    Hadley almost scoffed at his words.


    The thought was ridiculous. Two people with their own pasts, their own unspoken wounds? They weren’t built for forever.


    But she swallowed the words. Arguing wouldn’t change anything.


    Hadley arched a brow, her voice calm but firm. “We’re in this as equals, Eric. If one day I decide I’m done, I have every right to walk away.”


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    She caught the flicker of tension in his jaw, the way his grip on the steering wheel tightened. With a light shrug, she added, “Of course, if you lose interest first, you can say so too.”


    “Enough.” Eric’s voice came out sharp, raw.


    He didn’t want to hear any more. His hands clenched around the wheel as if trying to steady himself, trying to hold onto something solid. “We’ve been through a failed marriage before—I get why you’re wary. But Hadley, what I told my grandmother today… I meant every word. I will treat you well.”


    Hadley barely reacted.


    A nonchnt “Uh-huh” was all she offered, as if dismissing the weight of his words.


    Then, with a casual air, she continued, “Look, we’re just seeing each other—nothing serious. If it stops working, we walk away. No mess, no drama. So, do you agree or not? If you do, we move forward. If not, let’s forget this ever happened.”


    Eric sat frozen, blindsided.


    Justst night, he had been filled with anticipation, unable to sleep from excitement.


    Now, in a matter of minutes, the air had shifted—he hadn’t expected her to treat this rtionship so lightly, like it was a passing whim.


    “Don’t like it?” she said, lips curving in something between disappointment and inevitability. “Fine. Let’s pretend this conversation never happened.”


    Before she could step out, Eric leaned over, his hand closing around her wrist. “Don’t go!”


    He exhaled, catching the faintest trace of her scent—something familiar, something he wasn’t ready to let go of.


    Frustrated but helpless against her, he muttered, “Fine. Have it your way.”


    Hadley paused, the stillness between them thick with unspoken thoughts. He agreed? So he really was thinking the same way—just going along with the moment, taking things as they came.


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