?Chapter 1409:


    “Huh?” He blinked. “What does this have to do with me?”


    “You ignored Linda.” Her tone was direct. “She’s quick to adjust. She broke up with Ernest because she couldn’t ept Locke, so she turned to you. And now? You won’t give her what she wants, so she’s back to Ernest?”


    Eric frowned and stepped in quickly. “Why are you dragging me into this? She never really liked me. She turned to me because she was upset with Ernest. That’s it—I never had feelings for her either.” He stopped. His eyes held hers. “You already know how I act when I’m in love.” His voice was steady. “I go after them without holding back. I don’t let go.”


    Hadley opened her mouth to respond.


    “Want to argue?” Eric raised an eyebrow, cutting her off. “Then tell me this—if I really loved her, if I was that invested, and nothing’s stopping us now, why am I not with her?”


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    Hadley faltered. No words came. She couldn’t argue with that.


    “Silly.” Eric’s voice softened. “How many times have I told you? What I feel for her is obligation. Nothing more.” He reached up to ruffle her hair.


    But Hadley pulled away instinctively. Her difort showed. His hand froze in the air before he let it drop.


    She felt it too—the awkwardness that now lingered between them.


    Whenever he got close, her body resisted. The memory of him and A being together always surfaced.


    It was automatic.


    Eric knew the past incident remained a thorn in her chest. But he had no idea how to remove it. Silence settled between them.


    Hadley pressed her lips together and spoke quietly. “Based on what you know about Ernest… what do you think he’ll do?”


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    “Honestly?” Eric let out a breath. “I wasn’t sure before. But now… I think Ernest only feels a sense of duty toward her too.”


    Flynn Mansion.


    “I didn’t know she wasing back,” Ernest murmured, tension threading through his voice. He looked down at Elissa, a flicker of frustration darkening his eyes. “Whatever was between us—it’s over. You heard her yourself. She knows exactly what’s going on between you and me.”


    His wordsnded hard, thudding against Elissa’s chest. Her breath hitched.


    She hadn’t been blind to the way Ernest kept inching closer, breaking down her walls, pulling her in. And she hadn’t stopped him.


    Still, uncertainty clung to her. “She moved back in… wasn’t it because of you? Because she still cares for you?”


    “No,” he said at once, firm and unfaltering.


    Whatever they had ended a long time ago. There was no going back. His jaw tightened as he continued, “I think she’s just having a hard timeing to terms with it.”


    “What?” Elissa was slightly taken aback.


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