?Chapter 1108:


    Why was Eric saying all this?


    Eric took a steadying breath. “I know everything now. Brady is your brother.”


    Hadley’s eyes widened in shock. How did he find out? Did Brady tell him?


    Eric turned his face away for a second, trying to collect himself. When he looked back at her, his eyes were red-rimmed. “Brady was right. I don’t deserve you. Ten years have passed, and I barely know you. What right do I have to keep holding onto you?”


    Hadley sat in stunned silence.


    “Finished your soup?” Eric asked, ncing at her bowl. “Let me get you something more.”


    He reached out, but her hand shot out gently to stop him. “Hadley…”


    “There is no need.” She looked at him calmly, a slight smile ying on her lips. “I’ve had enough. Thank you.”


    And just like that, the realization settled over her. “So this is a parting meal, isn’t it?”


    Eric shut his eyes tightly. Pain coiled in his heart as he nodded with difficulty. “Yes. This is thest time. When you walk out that doorter, I’ll have no reason to bother you again.”


    “Oh.” Hadley smiled softly. “No need to make a big deal out of it.”


    “This is thest time,” Eric repeated, shaking his head. “I just wanted to get onest good look at you.”


    “Okay.” Hadley nodded, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and locked eyes with him. “Have you seen enough? I’m full.”


    The implication behind her words was clear. She was ready to leave.


    Eric swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. “It’s enough.”


    “Alright.” Hadley smiled faintly, picked up her bag, and stood. “In that case, I’m leaving.”


    “Okay.” Apart from that, he had nothing left to say.


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    Hadley slung her bag over her shoulder and offered him a small smile. She turned to leave without saying goodbye.


    She hadn’t reached the door when a warm, firm body suddenly pressed against her back. Her spine stiffened; every muscle in her body went still.


    It was Eric. He had wrapped his arms around her from behind.


    Hadley stood frozen in his embrace, too stunned to move.


    “Hadley!” Eric’s voice cracked as he buried his cheek against her shoulder, his arms holding her tight. His voice, thick with emotion, was hoarse and broken.


    “I forgot to tell you… I’m sorry. It’s been ten years, and I have just realized I’ve fallen in love with you. I’m sorry. It’s toote, but I had to say it.”


    Hadley’s face remainedposed, her voice steady and low as she said, “There is nothing to be sorry for. Like I told you before—love can’t be forced.”


    “Hadley…”


    Some things felt too shameless to ask her face-to-face, so Eric could only bring himself to ask while facing her back.


    “You used to like me a lot. If—and I’m just saying if—I hadn’t sent you to the back then, would you still like me now?”


    “If?” Hadley arched a brow, a flicker of amusement in her tone. “What-ifs don’t rewrite the past.”


    Eric fell silent. He thought she wouldn’t answer.


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