?Chapter 2774:


    They had not shared much time to begin with.


    Still, the version of Ellis she had once known—the gentle, restrained figure—was nowhere to be found in the man confronting her now.


    Never had she expected that beneath his polished demeanor hid a man so forceful—one who imed whatever he desired, no matter what others felt. He wanted her, and he would have her. Her opinion didn’t really matter.


    Her voice trembled with unease as she asked, “Ellis… why are you so obsessed with me?”


    “Simple,” he replied, lips lifting into a faint curve.


    “I like you, and I want you. So behave, stay by my side. It will be easier for both of us.”


    If she kept fighting, he might just snap and do things, which wouldn’t be ideal for either of them.


    “Since I’ve already met your family, it’s your turn to meet mine,” he said.


    “My mother knows about us, and she’s eager to have you for dinner—”


    The sound of approaching footsteps cut him short. It was Eric who appeared.


    The garden lights stretched his silhouette across the floor in long, stark lines.


    Only moments earlier, Eric had settled Joy into bed before answering a call—his grandmother had asked for him. He had been wondering what matter could be so pressing.


    Now, Eric realized what was really going on. Ellis had arrived.


    Both Hadley and Ellis caught sight of him as well, their words breaking off abruptly as though silence might shield them. With a faint curve of his lips, Eric walked past, eyes locked straight ahead as if neither of them existed.


    Hadley remained motionless, her gaze chasing after him despite herself.


    Ellis noticed, yet held his tongue.


    He refused to drag her back into memories of the man she once married.


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    In his mind, Hadley had already chosen her future. She had promised to be his wife, and from here on out, her ex would be nothing more than a passing figure.


    “It’s gettingte.” Ellis nced down at his watch.


    “I should head out. Will you walk me to my car?”


    Her trance broke at his words.


    “Come on.” He stretched out his hand.


    “Let me hold yours.”


    Without acknowledging the offer, Hadley brushed past him and kept walking.


    Eric stepped into the house.


    “Well?” N’s re cut through him like a de.


    “How could you let Hadley drift into someone else’s arms?”


    Lowering his head, Eric muttered quietly, “Grandma… I have no words.”


    “Excuse me?” Anger red in N’s eyes as she leapt to her feet, finger stabbing toward the door.


    “That guy showed up! He’s iming he’ll marry Hadley! And you just stay silent?”


    A bitterugh escaped Eric, dry and unsteady.


    “What could I even say? That I’ve failed?”


    “Haven’t you? You’repletely useless!” N trembled with fury, voice rising.


    “You stood by while Hadley—a good, decent girl—was taken by someone else!”


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