?Chapter 1841:


    But she hadn’t anticipated that her silence would only stir the ho’s nest.


    Was this Eric’s old jealousy ring up? Could he not bear the thought of another man in her life?


    “Eric,” Hadley said, her voiceced with exasperation and weary eptance as she met his reddened, searching eyes. “Life is long. Someone else was bound toe along.”


    She let out a soft, mocking scoff before adding, “What, did you think I would waste away alone forever?”


    At that moment, Hadley was in no hurry to plunge into a new romance. Life stretched out before her, vast and full of possibilities, and she refused to let her past failed rtionship with Eric cast a shadow over her future.


    Eric struggled to find his words, his throat tightening. Was Hadley confessing something? Did she truly have ns with Zane?


    A heavy ache settled in his chest, as if his heart were caught in a vise, stealing his breath. He wanted to offer some semnce of goodwill, but his words came out sharp,ced with usation.


    “Why the rush, Hadley? Why so soon?”


    His eyes stung, tears tracing paths down his face. “We just parted ways. Can’t you at least give it some time before moving on?”


    The tears flowed freely now, an unrelenting stream.


    “I’m not saying you should stay alone forever,” he pleaded. “But is it too much to ask for a little pause?”


    Hadley’sugh was cold, devoid of warmth. “What is the issue, Eric? We’re done. Why does my life concern you now?”


    “It concerns me because it does!”


    In his anguish, Eric seized Hadley’s wrist, desperation overriding reason.


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    Hadley merely furrowed her brow, unperturbed.


    “Hadley!” Eric’s gaze bore into her, raw and vulnerable, like a child stripped of something precious. “In the year we were together, did you ever truly care for me? Tell me, did you, or didn’t you?”


    Hadley stiffened, caught off guard by the question. “At this point,” she murmured, “does it even matter?”


    “It matters to me!” Eric’s voice was unwavering, resolute. “I need to know. Tell me!”


    Hadley looked away, avoiding his piercing stare. “I would rather not answer that.”


    “You would rather not?” Eric echoed, a bitter, self-deprecating chuckle escaping him. “No, it’s not that. You’re dodging it, aren’t you? Look at me, Hadley! Why can’t you face me? Is it because you never cared at all? That’s why you’re moving on so effortlessly, isn’t it? Look at me and answer!”


    His relentless probing finally shattered her restraint.


    “Fine!” Hadley’s eyes snapped to his, fierce and unyielding. “I have nothing to hide. I’m only holding back because, for the past year, you were kind to Joy and me. Why must you push me like this?”


    She drew a steadying breath, her voice calm but deliberate, each word measured. “Listen closely, Eric. Five years ago, I loved you deeply. But when I returned to Srixby a year ago, and even when we rekindled things… that love was gone. I didn’t feel it anymore.”


    Eric’s heart shattered under the weight of Hadley’s words, each one piercing like a thousand needles, venom coursing through his veins.


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