?Chapter 2845:


    “Alright,” Hadley replied hoarsely, giving a faint nod.


    When he finished, Eric took a fresh pair of socks and gently pulled them onto her feet.


    Hadley’s eyes brimmed again as she watched him.


    “It makes me think of the times you washed Joy’s feet and helped her with her socks…”


    Eric stilled for a moment before lifting his gaze.


    “It’s my responsibility to take care of you and Joy. The thing is…”


    He lowered his head, his next words nearly swallowed.


    “I may not be able to do it much longer.”


    Hadley’s chest tightened, breath catching as her eyes widened.


    “Eric…”


    “Yes?” Eric asked, confusion flickering in his eyes as he finished adjusting the socks.


    “What’s wrong? Are they ufortable? Do you want me to fix them?”


    “No, that’s not it.” Hadley shook her head firmly.


    Ellis’ words weren’t entirely wrong.


    The problem between her and Eric had very little to do with him.


    The faulty with her—her own uncertainty about what they truly were.


    Whenever Eric showed her such tenderness, she caught herself wishing they could stay like this forever.


    But the thought faded as quickly as it came. With Joy and Locke still missing, her doubts felt insignificantpared to that greater fear.


    “They’ll be alright.” Hadley pulled her foot from his grasp and murmured, “Thank you.”


    “Hold on.” Eric stopped her, guiding her shoes back onto her feet before letting go.


    “All set.”


    ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? g????????ν??????﹐?????


    He sensed something unsettled in her, but he brushed it off as worry over the missing children.


    Soon, the rain cleared.


    When the convoy reached the edge of Rappen Mountain, the vehicles split up ording to n.


    There were no hotels in the area—not even a single inn. Phillips and the bodyguards found an abandoned house that had once been used by hunters and made it livable as quickly as they could.


    They scrubbed the ce down, hauled in supplies, and set it up as best they could.


    By the time Eric and Hadley arrived, the space was ready.


    Eric scanned the room with a frown.


    “It’s rough, but we’ll have to make do for now.”


    “It’s actually fine.” Hadley shook her head gently.


    “It’s clean, and there’s plenty of space.”


    Though she sounded casual, Eric didn’t take it lightly.


    A sudden thought struck him, and his expression darkened.


    “Back then… was your living situation even worse than this?”


    .


    .


    .