?Chapter 1435:


    “Hadley.”


    He stood and slowly knelt on one knee in front of her. His eyes met hers, steady and sincere.


    “Be with me. Let me take care of you. Of Joy.”


    Hadley looked away, lips pressed in a pout.


    “Hadley.”


    His voice lowered. He was nervous—his Adam’s apple bobbed as he reached for her hand again.


    “You know how I’ve felt since you came back to Srixby. Haven’t I made it clear? I really…”


    “Let me ask you something first.” She turned toward him suddenly, her eyes fixed on his. Her tone sharpened. “Does Megan visit you often?”


    “What?” Eric blinked, caught off guard. Where had thate from? Why was she suddenly bringing up Megan? He didn’t know how to respond.


    “Humph.” Hadley let out a small scoff. “You didn’t leave with her today because I wasing over. But what about when I’m not around? Would you go out to eat with her?”


    Eric opened his mouth, but nothing came out.


    “Where else did you go together?” Her eyes narrowed. “Have you gone to clubs? Drank? Danced?”


    He stayed silent.


    “Say something!” She gave him a push. “What, nothing to say now?”


    That jolt snapped him back to reality. Eric straightened and reached for her hand. Before she could pull away, he wrapped his arms around her.


    “Let go!” she demanded.


    Don’t miss out gα?ησν??ls?c?m


    He let out a quietugh, the sound low in his chest. “Hadley, you’re jealous.”<fn412e> Content originallyes from f?ndnovel</fn412e>


    It wasn’t a question, but a statement.


    Jealous of what?


    Her face flushed. She pressed a hand firmly against his chest, trying to shove him away. “I’m not!”


    “You are.” He lifted her chin gently, his gaze steady.


    “You are,” he said again, his voice calm but sure. His smile widened.


    “It’s my fault. I should’ve exined things better. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.”


    He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly.


    “I thought you didn’t care. That’s what hurt the most. If you’d just gotten angry with me earlier, it might’ve been easier—for both of us.”


    His expression lit up. The smile was already there, growing by the second.


    “Hadley, just admit it. You like me. No need to hold back.”


    Eric looked at Hadley, his eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction—as though he’d seen right through her.


    “Feeling proud of yourself?” Hadley raised an eyebrow, amused and a little annoyed. “How childish.”


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