?Chapter 529:


    Fury burned in her eyes, and she wished she could throttle him. “You’re despicable! Leave me alone!”


    “I am despicable!” Eric agreed, closing his eyes and not resisting her usations. “Please, stop crying. I ept all the me! I promise, never again!”


    What? This unexpected submission from Eric took Hadley aback; she was momentarily lost for words. Could it be? The usually haughty Eric Flynn was humbling himself?


    “Hadley.”


    At the doorway, Ernest appeared, maneuvering his wheelchair. Tears clouded her vision as she looked up, stuttering, “Ernest…”


    “Here.” Ernest offered a handkerchief as he approached, his voice gentle. “Dry your eyes. They’re all puffy.”


    “Okay…” Taking the handkerchief, Hadley covered her face. Ernest’s hand tenderly brushed her hair,forting her as he had in the past. His soothing tone enveloped her. “There, there, Hadley. No more tears, okay?”


    Ernest sighed, his voice calm but resolute. “Eric’s been out of controltely. Let me talk to him for you.” His sharp gaze met Hadley’s.


    “Come on, let’s go home.”


    Hadley hesitated, but with Ernest speaking, how could she refuse? Besides… she couldn’t afford to sever ties with Eric just yet—not before she conceived.


    Ernest turned to Eric, his expression hardening. “Eric,” he said firmly, brows furrowed, “this is the first andst time. Listen carefully—if you make Hadley cry again, I won’t wait for her toe to me. I will step in, and I will make sure to separate you two.” His voice dropped slightly. “Even if Grandma tries to intervene—it won’t change a thing.”


    “Ernest!”


    L??t??τ ch?ɑρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?l??.?оm


    Eric’s entire body stiffened. He knew his brother well. Ernest might seem gentle, but once he made a decision—he never wavered. If he said he’d do something—he meant it.


    Eric lowered his head, his voice solemn and sincere. “It won’t happen again, Ernest. I promise.”


    Ernest studied him for a long moment, then gave a slow, measured nod. “Good.” Without another word, he turned his wheelchair. “Quentin, let’s go.”


    “Yes, sir,” Quentin responded immediately.


    “Hadley?” Eric’s voice was softer now, tentative, as he reached for her hand. Lifting it gently, he pressed it to his lips. “Come back with me,” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. “How can you possibly live like this?”


    Hadley felt something inside her unravel. Exhaustion, thick and overwhelming, settled deep in her bones. She was already fighting injuries and illness—and now frustration coiled around her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs. Her limbs felt heavy. Her breath came shallow.


    She closed her eyes, too drained to fight. Too weary to resist. Right now… she simply wouldn’t seed at pushing him away. Besides, any second now, Joy would return. And if Eric saw her, everything would fall apart.


    Eric didn’t hesitate. He bent down, arms slipping beneath her, effortlessly lifting her against him.


    “Come on. Let’s go home.”


    The moment they stepped outside the building, snow whirled around them in silent waves.


    “Put me down! Let me go!”


    Hadley’s desperate cry sliced through the air. She thrashed against his hold, struggling fiercely.


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