?Chapter 2804:


    Now she understood.


    It wasn’t just grief—Ellis was still trapped in its shadow. His girlfriend had been gone for nine years, and he had stayed alone the entire time.


    Hadley’s voice lowered.


    “You don’t truly like me. You’re just… projecting your feelings for her onto me.”


    “Projecting?” Ellis frowned and shook his head slowly.


    “I’m not so lost that I’d mistake one for the other. She was her. You are you.” His gaze swept over Hadley, pausing with quiet intensity.


    “Yes, you resemble her somewhat. So what? Does that make you a substitute?”


    He shook his head again.


    “I’ve never thought of it that way. Call it what you want—my taste, my preference—it’s simply the kind of woman I’m drawn to.”


    Hadley fell silent, the words catching in her throat.


    “Anything else you want to ask?” His frown deepened.


    “If not, let’s put this matter to rest.”


    His eyes sharpened, a probing edge in them.


    “You’ve already agreed to be with me. I won’t treat you unfairly. My family is preparing for our wedding—so set your heart at ease, alright?”


    Set her heart at ease?


    Hadley wanted to scream that this wasn’t about peace of mind. The whole situation was absurd.


    “Come on.” Ellis released her gently.


    “Let’s go back and finish our meal.”


    “Ellis!” Hadley called as he turned to leave.


    “Yes?”


    “Have you ever thought…” Hadley rubbed her temples, struggling to organize her thoughts.


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    “That finding someone who looks so much like her—wouldn’t that upset her?”


    “No.” Ellis shook his head firmly.


    “The woman I knew would only want me to be happy.”


    And with that, he turned away without looking back.


    Hadley lifted her hands to her face, covering her eyes in helplessness.


    He wouldn’t admit it, but he was clearly still deeply wounded. How was she supposed to break through that? How could she ever mend that kind of scar?


    Ellis drove Hadley back to Flynn Mansion.


    The ride was silent. Neither of them spoke.


    When they arrived, he walked her to the door and suddenly asked, “Who are you hesitating for? Who are you retreating for—Eric as your family? Or Eric as your ex-husband?”


    Hadley froze mid-step.


    Ellis let out a short, mockingugh.


    “If you two were meant to be, you’d already be together. The fact that you’re not—that’s not on me.”


    With that, he turned, got into his car, and drove off.


    Hadley stood there, stunned.


    The reason Eric and she weren’t together…?


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