?Chapter 1119:


    In theory, yes.


    Yet she responded, “Denver, you know my situation…”


    Their past attempts had faltered. His family had not weed her, and she also felt undeserving of his affection.


    “I’ll deal with my parents. That’s not your burden.” He gently rested his hand on her shoulder. “I’m not pressuring you to jump into anything. I just want you to understand that my feelings haven’t faded. I’ve been holding on, hoping for another chance.”


    He smiled gently, lifting his hand to caress her hair. “You’re free now. Think about giving us a chance, okay?”


    Overwhelmed, Hadley found herself at a loss for words.


    “That’s all I wanted to say,” Denver said with a smile, stepping back and giving her space. “I should head back now.” He waved, walking backward with a grin. “Goodnight!”


    Turning, he climbed into his car and drove off swiftly.


    Hadley remained frozen in ce, processing the encounter long after he’d left.


    Roughly thirty minutester, Denver arrived home and went straight to his parents’ room.


    “Mom, Dad, I’ming in.”


    “Oh!” Wilma’s voice brimmed with joy at the sound of her son. “Son, you’re back! When did you return? Come in,e in!”


    Denver entered, his voice steady despite his inner excitement. “Mom, Dad, there’s something important we need to discuss,” he announced. “If you agree to what I’m going to say, I n to stay in Srixby for good and give up my wandering.”


    “What is it that you’re going to say?” Wilma asked, casting a wary nce at her husband, a flicker of unease stirring in her chest. “Why do you look so serious, son?”


    Denver had spent the entire journey collecting his thoughts, organizing them with care.


    Now, facing his parents, he spoke with quiet determination. “Dad, Mom—I like Hadley. I want to be with her.”


    “What?” Wilma’s rm was immediate, her voice rising with panic.


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    As she feared, it was exactly what she didn’t want to hear.


    “Denver, why must you be so stubborn?”


    “Mom,” Denver interjected gently but firmly, his brow drawn in frustration. “It’s not that I haven’t listened to you. I’ve tried dating other people over the past few months, but… I just can’t force myself to feel anything for anyone else.”


    Wilma faltered, lips quivering, momentarily speechless.


    Denver’s voice grew more serious. “I care about Hadley, and I need you to stop interfering. If this continues, I’ll have no choice but to leave Srixby.”


    “Denver!” Wilma nched. “Would you really turn your back on your parents for some outsider?”


    “I didn’t turn my back on you, Mom,” he said, shaking his head. “If you weren’t my mother, I don’t think I could’ve forgiven what you did to Hadley. Do you even realize that what you did to her was already a criminal act?”


    Wilma’s heart skipped. Panic washed over her. “Are you going to report me?”


    “No,” Denver replied calmly. “But it can’t happen again. I’ll handle the family business, I’ll be a good son. But when ites to my rtionship—I need you to back off. If you hurt Hadley again, I won’t stop being your son, but that’s it. I will move out. I’m not a child anymore. I can take care of myself, no matter where I am.”


    He drew a deep breath. It wasn’t easy confronting his mother like this. “I know you don’t like Hadley, and I’m not asking you to. I’m just asking you to stop hurting her.” He then stood. “That’s all I had to say. Dad, Mom—goodnight.”


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