?Chapter 483:


    Marshall caught the implication right away, his grin growing mischievous.


    “Is Hadley hesitant to get close to you?”


    “Quiet!”


    Eric quickly scanned the surroundings and, confirming they were alone, he whispered, nodding.


    “Whenever I approach her, she seems to… stiffen up.”


    “Hmm…”


    Marshall smirked, slinging an arm around Eric’s shoulder. “Could it be that you’re just not very good at this?”


    “What?”


    Eric, momentarily stunned, retorted, “How could…” But he paused, memories flooding back.


    In the early days of their marriage, their moments of intimacy had always been brief and hurried…


    Eric vaguely remembered Hadley crying afterward…


    Marshall noticed Eric’s face cloud over and chuckled.


    With a raised eyebrow, he said, “Look, Hadley was just twenty when you guys married… Perhaps you’ve left her with some deep-seated issues.”


    “Back off!”


    Annoyed, Eric pushed Marshall aside. “Asking you was a mistake.” He continued on his way, food tray in hand.


    “Mr. Flynn! Put in some effort!”


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    Eric dismissed his taunts. Was there any truth to Marshall’s ims, though? That couldn’t be, could it? Although their past was not wless, Eric believed there was more to Hadley’s pronounced difort.


    After hesitating briefly, he made his way back to the room. Hadley had showered and was now wearing a bathrobe.


    “You’re back.”


    She passed him a water bottle she had grabbed from the refrigerator.


    “This turned out to be sparkling. I’m not fond of carbonated drinks, so I barely sipped it. You can have the rest.”


    “Thanks.”


    Eric epted the bottle and gulped down half of it immediately.


    ncing over, he noticed Hadley nibbling on the sd he had brought back. He gestured toward her dish. “Make sure to add some protein. Try some of the shrimp.”


    “Here, have some yourself.”


    With her fork, Hadley skewered a shrimp and held it out to him. Eric epted it with a smile, enjoying the bite.


    He cherished her tender act, confident that their bond would strengthen over time.


    Rising from his seat, he indicated the bed. “Tonight, you take the bed, I’ll sleep on the sofa.”


    Leaning in, he gently raised her chin. “There’s no need to hurry. Take all the time you need.”


    “Alright.”


    Hadley returned his smile and nodded, yet her smile vanished as soon as he looked away.


    Deep into the night…


    “Eric?”


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