?Chapter 2762:


    “I’ve hurt you before… and the problem with Linda still hangs over us.” His words carried the strain of worry, edging into desperation.


    “But this will end soon! Bianca has already been taken, and Gifford won’t slip away! Linda won’t either!”


    His voice faltered, cracking as he went on.


    “The pain you’ve carried won’t be ignored! It won’t!”


    Moisture clung to hisshes as he blinked again and again.


    “Just hold on a little longer, okay? Please… don’t…” He shook his head in torment.


    “Please don’t walk away from me because of this, alright?”


    With those words, his grip tightened on her hand as he helped her to stand.


    “Come on—we’re leaving!”


    Hadley stared at him in shock.


    “Leaving? Where are you taking me?”


    “We’re going to see Ellis!” Eric’s eyes burned with a strange intensity.


    “We’ll tell him you’ve changed your decision. Say you don’t want him anymore!”


    He yanked her toward the doorway with a grip that refused to loosen.


    “Eric!” Hadley’s voice cracked as she clung desperately to his arm with both hands.


    “Eric, stop it!”


    The sudden plea made Eric halt and turn back to her.


    “Don’t force this,” Hadley said, shaking her head as tears blurred her sight. Her throat ached, and her words came out broken.


    “I’m not going with you!”


    The admission left Eric frozen, his body stiff as he looked down at her.


    Shock and fear collided in his eyes.


    “You won’t? Why not?”


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    Hadley turned away, refusing to let their eyes meet.


    “You…” Eric whispered again. The sound was sharp with anguish, as though something inside him had been torn apart.


    His hand dragged across his forehead before he forced the question out in a hushed tone.


    “Do you… do you really have feelings for Ellis?”


    Hadley pressed her eyes shut as if bracing against the weight of the words.


    Could this be her quiet confirmation?


    A bitterugh escaped him.


    “Ha!”


    Her silence echoed in Eric’s ears like cold water striking his skin, leaving him numb.


    “Tell me,” Eric muttered with a hollow chuckle.


    “How long have you even known him?”


    How long could it have possibly been?


    “Is he really that remarkable? You gave in to him so quickly? No…” Eric shook his head violently.


    “I can’t ept that!”


    “It’s the truth!” Hadley’s head snapped up, her gaze fierce and unwavering.


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