?Chapter 1092:


    The car rolled into Milnd Road and came to a stop in front of her apartment building.


    Hadley got out of the car, and Eric followed suit.


    “Hadley!”


    She paused and turned. “Do you need something?”


    “If… I mean, if…” Eric swallowed hard, his words thick with emotion. “If he ever hurts you… or if you change your mind, just remember… I’ll always be here.”


    Hadley never imagined Eric would say something like that.


    In that fleeting moment, it felt as though a sharp, fine needle had pierced her heart, leaving behind a deep, bittersweet ache that spread throughout her entire body.


    Framed by the light, Hadley pressed her lips together and gave him a faint, fragile smile.


    “I don’t have feelings for you. You’re waiting for something that will never happen. Stop wasting your time.”


    Without another word, she turned away, her smile disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.


    Eric stood frozen, stunned. A bitter, self-mockingugh slipped from his lips. Just like that, she had crushed all his hopes with a few cold, final words.


    His phone buzzed—it was a message from Phillips.


    An attachment followed.


    Information on Brady.


    The file outlined Brady’s background: his father was a university professor, his mother owned a supermarket chain, and Brady had just returned from studying abroad to help run her business.


    Eric blinked. Brady was two years younger than Hadley.


    Was that it? He lost to a guy who sold groceries? Was that all he was worth in Hadley’s eyes?


    Back at the apartment.


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    “Mommy!”


    As soon as Hadley stepped through the door, Joy came barreling toward her, throwing herself into Hadley’s arms. “Mommy’s back! I missed you so much!”


    “I missed you too, sweetheart,” Hadley smiled.


    Joy cupped Hadley’s face in her tiny hands, her round eyes blinking with concern. “Mommy, are you sick?”


    “What?” Hadley paused, caught off guard, then shook her head.


    “No, of course not. Why would you think that?”


    “You look kind of sad,” Joy said, tilting her head as she studied her mother’s face.


    Hadley’s heart skipped a beat. Did she really look that upset?


    “Mommy.” Joy leaned against her shoulder, her voice soft and serious. “Is it because Eric doesn’te to our ce anymore?”


    Hadley froze, her lips parting in surprise.


    “Are you sad about that?” Joy continued.


    She might’ve been little, but she wasn’t clueless. Eric hadn’t visited in days, and even though Hadley had told her he was just busy, Joy could sense something was off.


    “Don’t be sad, Mommy,” Joy said, patting her shoulder with gentle, reassuring hands. “He’s not nice. We don’t need him! You have me!”


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