?Chapter 494:


    Footsteps then broke the silence. Eric looked up sharply.


    “Are you up now?”


    Hadley approached, her hair neatly braided down her slender back.


    Eric swallowed. It hadn’t been a dream—she had been there.


    “Where were you?” he asked, a slight note of grievance in his voice.


    “Just in the kitchen,” Hadley replied, gesturing toward it. “Your fridge was pretty empty, so I whipped up some sandwiches. And there’s a big pot of coffee, considering you drankst night.”


    She stooped to retrieve the nket, folding it carefully. Looking up, she asked, “How are you feeling now? Is your head still bothering you?”


    “It’s better,” Eric replied, shaking his head slightly. “Just a little dizzy, that’s all.”


    “Well, that’s to be expected.”


    Clutching the folded nket, Hadley continued, “I’ll put this away. You should wash up and eat something—it’ll make you feel better.”


    “Alright… thanks.”


    Eric got up and walked into the dining room. Hadley was setting the food on the table, bathed in the soft morning light, which cast a gentle glow around her.


    Without a word, he gently wrapped both arms around her waist, drawing her softly against his chest.


    Surprised, Hadley stiffened briefly, caught off guard by his sudden closeness. Yet the tension left her quickly, and she said softly, “Take your seat. Breakfast is nearly done.”


    “Hadley,” Eric whispered, unmoving, as he nestled his face against the curve of her neck. His voice was quiet yet earnest. “Linda and I have known each other since childhood.”


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    Hmm?


    His words startled her. Was he trying to exin himself?


    “Whatever people say about us isn’t true—there’s nothing inappropriate between us.”


    Eric’s voice grew strained as he admitted, “Yes, I’ve cared for her over the years, but that’s all there is to it. Do you trust me?”


    This was his way of reassuring her.


    It was fortunate that Eric couldn’t see her expression, otherwise her skepticism would have been obvious.


    “Of course,” Hadley murmured, keeping her voice carefully neutral, eager to end this conversation quickly. “I trust you.”


    Yet deep down, her thoughts didn’t match her words at all.


    “Hadley.”


    Gently, Eric turned her toward him. One hand supported her waist while the other cupped her head, pulling her close as he kissed her deeply.


    She hadn’t expected such intensity.


    Shaken, Hadley instinctively ced her palm against his chest, intending to push him away. Yet she managed to stop herself.


    After a brief moment of hesitation, her hand slowly lifted and settled gently around his neck.


    With a slight raise of his eyebrows, Eric’s surprise was evident. His arms tightened around her, pulling her in for a deeper kiss. He noticed Hadley’s initial resistance was fading.


    She was starting to ept him.


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