?Chapter 608:


    “Alright.” With a weak nod, Hadley closed her eyes and reclined, letting exhaustion take over.


    As they drove off, Eric, concerned for herfort, turned the heater up. He navigated the car gently, wary of causing her any additional unease.


    Hadley’s head was slightly tilted, her eyes shut.


    It seemed like she had drifted into a dream.


    “Mmm… mmm…”


    From his position, Eric could only catch her faint sobs, his worry deepening. He decided to pull over.


    Taking her hand in his, he softly inquired, “Hadley? Are you awake?”


    “Mmm…” She did not open her eyes, continuing to murmur, “Mom…”


    Leaning in, Eric listened intently. It was clear Hadley longed for her mother.


    “Mom, I’m sorry. I made a mistake, I’m so sorry…” she murmured, obviously trapped in her dream.


    Eric was confused. Why would a daughter feelpelled to apologize to her mother, even while dreaming?


    “Mmm, I was wrong… wrong…”


    Seeing Hadley in such a vulnerable state deeply moved him.


    Silently, Eric held her, his whisper soft in her ear. “Don’t cry. Your mom wouldn’t me you.”


    He might not have grasped the full situation, but what kind of mother would me her own child?


    As the quiet settled around them, Hadley’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze filled with bewilderment as she looked at him.


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    “Are you fully awake now?”


    Touching her face, Eric felt its increased warmth.


    With a sense of relief, he brushed away her tears. “It was just a bad dream. I had to intervene. I held you,forted you. Do you feel any better?”


    In fact, Hadley hadn’t fully fallen asleep—her mind was in a daze. She faintly recognized Eric’s efforts and knew he spoke the truth. She nodded in agreement.


    “I’m doing much better. Let’s drive.”


    As the sky grew darker, there was a looming threat of treacherous roads from rain or snow.


    “Alright.”


    They resumed their drive into the city.


    Eric, casting a concerned nce toward Hadley, suggested, “Maybe we should stay at my ce tonight?”


    He was genuinely worried about her condition.


    “No,” Hadley responded firmly, shaking her head. “I need to get back to mine.”


    She desperately wanted to hold her daughter.


    “Hadley…”


    “Do you n to drive me, or should I get out here?” Hadley, brimming with frustration, abruptly sat up and fixed her gaze on Eric. “Just let me out if you’re not serious about this.”


    Her fingers were already curling around the door handle.


    “I will drive you.”


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