?Chapter 719:


    Ernest had said that Eric’s feelings for Linda stemmed from gratitude. Hadley suddenly found herself wondering—what about Ernest? Was his affection for Linda rooted in love or obligation? Or perhaps, was it a love shaped by gratitude?


    The morning light brightened. Eric’s brow furrowed slightly as his eyes fluttered open. His arm felt oddly weighted. Looking down, he saw Hadley asleep beside him, her fingers curled loosely around his arm. Her long hair spilled over her shoulder, smooth and shining like silk.


    Eric swallowed hard, an unfamiliar warmth stirring in his chest.


    Hadley, ever the light sleeper, sensed the shift and stirred, propping herself up on her elbow. Her drowsy gaze met his.


    “Did I wake you?” Eric’s lips curved into a teasing smile. “You drooled. Aren’t you going to wipe it?”


    Hadley froze, her cheeks burning as she quickly raised her hand to her mouth. Then she paused. There was nothing there.


    Her brows furrowed as she red at him. “You think that’s funny?”


    “Pfft… I did not expect you to be so gullible,” Eric chuckled.


    Annoyed, Hadley moved to pull her hand away, but Eric held on. “I’m sorry! I am really sorry! Please don’t go, Hadley… Stay with me!”


    What could she do? When this man decided to be unreasonable, he was capable of sending himself straight back to the operating room.


    “I’m not going anywhere.” She pointed to the IV bottle. “It’s almost empty. I’ll call the nurse to remove it.”


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    A moment of carelessness and air could slip into the line, which would be dangerous.


    “Oh, okay.”


    Having no choice, Eric let her go.


    Hadley stepped out and soon returned with a nurse and a caregiver. While the nurse removed the IV, the caregiver ced a tray of food on the table. Once the nurse left, Hadley picked up a bowl and stirred its contents with a spoon. “I made some chicken broth and shredded the meat into strips—easier for you to swallow… And drink some soup too.”


    Scooping up a spoonful, she blew on it gently before bringing it to his lips. “It’s not too hot anymore. Open up.”


    Eric took a sip, his smile warm. “Delicious.”


    “Try the chicken as well.”


    Hadley fed him a small piece, and Eric epted it without hesitation, his expression softening. “Hadley, I’m really happy.”


    This time, after he woke up, she hadn’t kept him at arm’s length.


    “If I had known that going into surgery would make you stop being angry, I would have done it sooner,” he murmured.


    Hadley hesitated for a fraction of a second, but then simply continued feeding him. “Eat before it gets cold.”


    “Alright.”


    Being taken care of by her, Eric felt nothing short of content.


    Women and jealousy—what a troublesome mix! And yet, she still refused to admit she liked him? It was clear as day that she did.


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