?Chapter 948:


    The moment he opened his mouth to argue, Hadley cut him off with a sharp re. “I’m not doing this for you, I’m doing it for Joy. If you’re going to be a parent, learn to put her first,” she said, voice steady.


    That stopped him cold. He swallowed his protest, lips pressing into a silent line.


    By afternoon, Hadley had packed her things. Standing at the door, she looked back at him—calm,posed. “I’m heading out now.”


    Eric nodded, trying to keep the smile on his face. “Phillips has arranged a car. It’s already waiting outside.”


    “Got it.”


    As soon as Hadley left the room, Eric pushed off the covers and climbed out of bed.


    Outside, following the license te number Phillips had texted, Hadley spotted the car waiting by the curb. She stepped up and peered in.


    “Excuse me… did Phillips send you?”


    “Yes, ma’am. Please, get in,” came the muffled reply.


    The driver wore a ck hoodie, cap, and face mask—his voice low, indistinct. Hadley, satisfied with the confirmation, slipped into the back seat.


    The car pulled away from the hospital smoothly. A few minutes passed in silence before she nced at the rearview mirror. The driver’s eyes caught her attention—familiar, too familiar.


    “Eric?” she asked, uncertain.


    In the mirror, the man’s eyes widened—busted. “How did you know it was me?”


    So it really was him.


    With a grin, Eric reached up and pulled off the hoodie, cap, and mask in one smooth motion, revealing his familiar mischievous grin in the rearview mirror—unapologetic as ever.


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    “Guess I just can’t hide this face, can I?” he said, shing a wide, boyish smile.


    Hadley narrowed her eyes, her smirk fading into a re. “Do I look like I’m in the mood to joke with you?”


    “Hey, don’t be mad,” he said quickly. “I’m okay now. The doctor said I’m still a bit weak, but I’m stronger than most people even on my worst day.”


    Hadley turned her face to the window, her lips pressed together in silence. She didn’t bother replying.


    What was the point? No matter how many times she tried to talk sense into him, he always did whatever he wanted.


    They made a stop at the clinic first, where Hadley received her regr treatment session and picked up her prescribed medicine. Then, they headed back toward Milnd Road.


    Not a word passed between them during the drive.


    Eric grew restless under the weight of her silence. As they neared their destination, he suddenly pulled the car to the side of the road.


    “Wait here,” he said.


    Hadley frowned, watching as he got out. His tall frame jogged toward a row of corner shops. Now what?


    Momentster, he returned, slipping back into the driver’s seat with two cotton candies in hand.


    “They were out of those candied hawthorns you like,” he said sheepishly, holding them out to her. “But then I found these.”


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