?Chapter 1428:


    Only then did he notice the way she shook. His chest tightened. He’d gone too far.


    “Hadley?” Eric ignored the sting in his lip and reached for her, his voice soft. “Look at me. It’s me. I’m Eric. You’re safe.”


    Her body remained stiff. Her eyes stared through him, unfocused. Tears clung to hershes.


    “Eric?”


    “Yes.” He leaned closer, letting her see him clearly. “It’s just me. No one else.”


    One second. Two.


    Her gaze finally sharpened.


    Then, all at once, she came back to herself. She red at him. “Why would you scare me like that? Was that fun for you?”


    “Sorry…” Eric’s voice was low. He didn’t try to justify it. “It was my fault. You were scared… but you kept calling my name. I couldn’t hold back.”


    He took her hand. His grip was gentle, but his gaze didn’t waver.


    “Hadley. Why did you call for me? When you were afraid, why was I the first person that came to mind?”


    His tone lowered. “Am I that reliable? Do you trust me that much? Or is it something else? Do you… like me?”


    Hadley blinked, her expression shifting. Then, without warning, she shoved him aside and rushed into the walk-in closet.


    “Hadley—” Eric stumbled and hit the floor. “Ouch…”


    He winced and reached for his mouth. The bottom lip stung—her bite had left a mark.


    The closet door mmed shut behind her.


    He let out a slow breath, rubbed his temples, and then got up and walked over.


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    He knocked.<fnb63b> Read full story at find~novel</fnb63b>


    “Hadley.”


    No response.


    Eric stood at the door, voice low. “Are you mad? I’m sorry… It was my fault. I shouldn’t have scared you. I swear, I won’t do it again…” He kept talking—nervous, apologetic.


    Suddenly, the closet door swung open. Hadley stood there, fully dressed.


    “Hadley.” Eric stopped mid-sentence. He stood still.


    “I have a question…” Her face was still tense, her eyes sharp. “Why are you in my room?”


    “Well…” Eric lowered his head, guilt written all over him. “I couldn’t sleep sharing a room with a man. He breathes too loud, tosses, snores… even grinds his teeth.”


    The snoring part was true. The teeth grinding—maybe not.


    “I stayed up half the night. I still couldn’t sleep.” He knew what she was thinking, so he added, “I need proper rest for my recovery, right? But the bodyguard wouldn’t let me stay alone. He only listens to you. I didn’t have a choice—I came to find you.”


    He nced at her. She didn’t look as angry now.


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