?Chapter 1248:


    “I’ve taken everything you said to heart,” Eric went on, his voice steady but earnest. “All I’m asking is a little more time. I’ll settle things with Linda properly, and once it’s done, I…” He hesitated.


    What exactly was he nning?


    Hadley lifted her chin slightly, her eyes locking onto his. She searched his face, as if trying to read the truth in his eyes.


    Eric looked at her intently, his voice lowering as he spoke.


    “I swear to you, I’ll only care for you. I’ll look at no one else, listen to no one else. Just you. Can you give me that chance?”


    She stood still, silently taking it in, her gaze never leaving his.


    Her heart began to race—tight, fast, and unsteady.


    Was he really saying this? Could he actually mean it?


    When Hadley first spoke those words to Eric, she never once believed the day woulde when he’d seriously choose between her and Linda—let alone that he’d choose her.


    Was this really happening?


    “Hadley?” Eric’s voice broke through the silence, a note of unease slipping in. Seeing her still and unreadable, he asked quietly,


    “Will you?”


    She blinked, the sound of his voice snapping her back. A faint smile touched her lips.


    “Let’s talk about it when you’ve actually done it. For now… haven’t you still not cut tiespletely?”


    “Yeah.” His gaze dropped, shadows clouding his eyes.


    “I get it. Just… give me a little more time. I’ll take care of it.”


    Hadley said nothing.


    When she told him to leave Linda alone, she never imagined he’d really take it to heart—let alone act on it.


    LΑτ??τ chαρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?l??.??????


    Eric hesitated, then tried again.


    “About the cough medicine…” His eyes didn’t leave hers. His tone had softened, almost pleading.


    “Could you please take it? It really works. One dose is all it takes to feel better.”


    That night, Hadley felt oddly distracted.


    Thoughts drifted in and out of her mind with no clear shape, leaving her restless.


    Right before bed, something nudged at the edge of her memory. She went to the cab, pulled out the unopened bottle of medicine, and stared at it in her hand—lost in thought.


    “What are you zoning out for?” Elissa had just stepped out of the bathroom, her hair damp and her face fresh. She waved a hand in front of Hadley’s face.


    “What’s—


    “What’s going on in that head of yours?”


    Hadley blinked,ing back to the moment.


    “Elissa, sit down for a second. I want to tell you something.”


    “Okay…” Elissa grabbed a chair and sat across from her friend, curious.


    Hadley held the bottle loosely, then began, “So, here’s what’s been happening…”


    She gave Elissa a brief rundown of the past two days—what Eric had said, what he’d done, and the conversation they’d just had earlier that night.


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