?Chapter 1037:


    “I saw it,” Linda said calmly. “That rumor about some guy visiting her on set—it caused quite a ssh.”


    The gossip had been swiftly buried, and she knew Eric was the one who’d handled it.


    She went on, “Did you juste from seeing her? Did you get to the bottom of it?”


    Eric’s brow furrowed, his response vague. “Just some admirer of hers. Nothing to worry about.”


    “Is that so?” Linda’s smile held a knowing edge. “Your face tells a different story, though.”


    Eric hesitated, opting not to argue further. Truth was, his mood was sour.


    He had pressured Hadley into epting his proposal, but her icy, reluctant demeanor stung.


    If things stayed this way, what kind of future awaited them? A life of constant friction and discontent?


    Linda paused for a beat, then wheeled herself closer to him.


    “Eric,” she whispered.


    He assumed she meant to console him and offered a faint smile. “I’m okay…”


    “Why haven’t you ended things?” she asked abruptly.


    “What?” Eric’s eyes widened, caught off guard. “We’re just going through a rough patch. It’s not that bad…”


    “Is it worth it?” Linda cut in, her brow creasing. “Ever since you two got together, it’s been one fight after another. She drags you down, you’re always stressed, and it’s clear she’s not invested in making it work. Why hold on to something so broken?”


    Eric hadn’t expected this from Linda. He met her gaze, his own brows knitting together.


    “Eric,” Linda said, her tone softening into a smile. “We’re cut from the same cloth, you and I—too stubborn to let go of things that don’t serve us. But sometimes, it’s better to release what’s not meant to be.


    There’s so much ahead, don’t you think?”


    “Linda…” Eric’s brow twitched, his lips tightening.


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    “Eric, let go of Hadley, just like I let go of Ernest…”


    His mouth opened, words forming, but she didn’t let him speak.


    “Have you ever considered me, Eric?”


    Eric froze, stunned. This wasn’t the first time she’d hinted at this. The first time was when she found out about Ernest and Elissa. But that time, she had brushed it off as a jest. What about this time?


    “Linda…”


    “I mean it,” she said, her eyes locking onto his with unwavering sincerity. “Eric, what if we were together? What do you say?”


    She reached out, her hand softly sping his. “Eric, I like you. Do you like me?”


    Eric was floored, his mind reeling. It took him a full two seconds to process her words.


    Then, abruptly, he stood from the sofa. “Linda, take a breath. I know your injury… it’s been tough on you, but…”


    “You don’t believe me?” Her eyes glistened, hurt shing across her face.


    He didn’t answer, his gaze sliding away. “It’ste. Since you’re okay, I should head out…”


    He tugged his hand, trying to pull free.


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