?Chapter 1150:


    “It’s my fault… all my fault,” Hadley murmured, her voice hollow as she rested limply against Eric’s chest. “I took her life. Why did I chase after my father? He had forsaken us, and yet my stubbornness led to my mother’s death… oh…”


    Her tears fell softly, yet the grief seemed to surge from the marrow of her soul.


    “Hadley…” Eric cradled her tenderly, as one might soothe a frightened child. “I’m so sorry.”


    He hadn’t known her early years carried such weight!


    A decade of knowing her, and yet he had been blind to the deep wound etched in her heart.


    “Let it out, Hadley. Cry if it helps.”


    “Oh…” Hadley’s sobs broke free, raw and aching. “Noreen was right. My grandmother suffered because of me too. So frail, so old, and still she toiled to raise me. And Joy…”


    Her fingers tightened, clutching Eric’s shirt like a lifeline. “Other children run and y, but I can’t even give my own child good health…


    I’m cursed. I’m…”


    “No, you’re not!” Eric’s heart twisted, heavy with her pain.


    He gently lifted her face, his hands steady. “Your mother’s and grandmother’s hardships trace back to the Jenkins family, not you. Joy’s illness? That’s on me. I failed to protect you both, and I’m sorry…”


    Hadley froze at Eric’s words, her gaze locking onto his, searching.


    For a moment, rity seemed to pierce her sorrow, her tears pausing as a spark of fire kindled in her eyes. “You’re sorry? What good is that now? Do you have any idea how I’ve survived these years? How Joy and I clung to each other, scraping by?”


    “Hadley…” Eric’s hands remained gentle on her cheeks, his voice a quiet plea. “Tell me. Please, let me understand.”


    All those years, even with the Flynns offering financial support, Hadley had still been just a girl when she gave birth to his child.


    And Joy hadn’t been in good health either.


    Eric wondered if she cried back then. Had she ever thought of him?


    Dive into tales at gα? ησ ν?? ??s,


    “No!” Hadley suddenly shouted, her voice sharp with anger. “What’s the point in telling you now? Can you undo the past?”


    After ignoring her for so long, what difference did histe sorrow and concern make now?


    The pain she endured was carved into her memory, and nothing could take it away.


    With all her strength, Hadley shoved him. “Eric, I hate you! I hate you with all I am! Leave! Get out of my sight!”


    “Hadley…”


    “Hadley!”


    Denver had just arrived and was standing outside the door. He noticed the door slightly open and froze when he heard Hadley’s voice crack with emotion.


    He rushed in and saw Hadley pushing Eric.


    With brows furrowed, he stepped forward and pulled Eric back. “Eric, don’t push her like that.”


    “Denver!” Hadley grabbed onto him for help. “Make him leave. I don’t want to see him!”


    “I will.” Denver moved in front of her, shielding her with his body. “Eric, you heard her. She wants you gone. Now go, please.”


    Eric hesitated, his eyes flicking to Hadley onest time. But she had already turned her face away. The message was clear: she didn’t want him there.


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