?Chapter 1039:


    “It’ste…” Eric murmured, averting his gaze and edging away slightly. “You’re exhausted. Go rest.”


    His tone made it clear he didn’t want to continue the conversation.


    But Linda felt trapped now. “Eric, please don’t leave!”


    Her voice cracked as she was overwhelmed by her emotions, and her eyes shimmered with desperation. “I know! It’s because of N, right? You’re worried she won’t approve, aren’t you?”


    As the matriarch of the Flynn family, N was a firm believer that family matters should remain private. That was why, years ago, N had insisted that Linda choose between Ernest and Eric early on. She had even gone as far as arranging Eric’s marriage to Hadley after Linda had chosen Ernest.


    The more Linda dwelled on these thoughts, the more certain she became of her convictions. It all made sense now.


    “Then let’s walk away from the Flynn family. I’m ready to go with you!”


    “Linda…” Eric tried to speak, but Linda was already lost in her determination.


    “I know you’ve worked hard to establish your own career over the years!” Through her tears, she managed a smile. “Even if we cut ties with them, you have what it takes to give us a good life! Yes! Let’s leave!”


    She gripped his arm tightly, as if her mind was made up.


    “We’ll leave them behind—right now! Once we’re out, nothing will stop us from being together!”


    “Linda!” Seeing her lose control, Eric raised his voice in an effort to calm her down. “Listen to me! Please?”


    Linda halted abruptly, finally still. “You… go on.”


    “This isn’t about my grandmother.” With a heavy frown, Eric shook his head slowly yet decisively. “Linda, I don’t have romantic feelings for you. Do you understand?”


    Linda trembled, her resolve crumbling, yet she defiantly shook her head. “I don’t believe you!”


    Eric massaged his temples, taking a deep breath. He gathered his resolve and said, “You know me well, don’t you? If I don’t have feelings for someone, not even my grandmother can make me give in. That was the case with Hadley initially.”


    Despite his marriage to Hadley, he had maintained his distance from her.


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    “But if I do like someone, I’ll challenge the entire world if necessary to make it happen. Like now, with Hadley…”


    Every word he spoke invariably circled back to Hadley. Lindaughed bitterly. “And what about me? Will you just discard me?”


    “I won’t.” Eric shook his head. His voice was raspy but steady. “To me, you are like a sister, truly inseparable.”


    A sister?


    A low, scornfulugh escaped Linda. “And Hadley? Is she your one true love? I can’t ept that!”


    Linda challenged him, her voice quivering with emotion. “Even if she is, does any love reallyst forever? Didn’t Ernest once dere I was the only woman for him? Yet, look how that turned out. He broke his vow and fell for another woman.”


    Her feelings intensified, and she grabbed Eric’s arm, her eyes shing with an intense gleam. “Eric, forget about Hadley! From now on, see me as a woman whom you could love, okay? I want you, please!”


    “Linda! Calm down!” Eric said firmly. He grabbed her wrist and began to pry her fingers off one by one. “This isn’t about Hadley. Even if she were out of the picture, you and I wouldn’t work. I’ve never felt that way about you… You, me, Ernest—we’re family. Can’t you see that?” He paused, then went on, “And even if I wasn’t in love with Hadley, it would be someone else.” But it would never be Linda.


    Linda frozepletely, and her hand fell away slowly. Eric took a step back, remained silent for a brief moment, and then turned to leave. He had only taken a few steps when he paused and looked back at Linda, who sat unmoving in her wheelchair. His voice, rough and low, broke the silence. “Hadley has epted my proposal. We’re… getting married.”


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