?Chapter 2953:


    Eric hurried towards the intersection, but the red light had not changed yet, so he had to wait.


    Those few seconds seemed to stretch on endlessly.


    Atst, the light turned green.


    Eric sprinted across the street and stopped in front of Hadley.


    “Hadley!” he called out.


    With a smile, he said, “It’s been a while.”


    Hadley looked puzzled. “What do you mean? Didn’t we just see each other yesterday?”


    “Yes.” Eric nodded, his smile growing a little wider. “But it just feels like I haven’t seen you for a long time.”


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    He had gone back and forth between Flynn Mansion and the hospital all morning, and finally arrived here. The morning felt especially long, as if the hours had stretched into an eternity.


    Hadley pressed her lips together and asked, “Why are you here?”


    “I…” Eric hesitated. “I came to pick you up.”


    When he finally saw her, a hint of nerves crept in and he felt a little shy.


    He wanted to say more, but the words stuck in his throat. After a moment, he licked his lips and shook his head. “No, that’s not it. I wanted to see you. There’s something important I need to tell you.”


    He looked down at her and asked quietly, “Can I say it now?”


    Hadley had already guessed what he wanted to say, and her cheeks flushed pink. “Go ahead.”


    “Alright.”


    Eric took a breath, swallowing hard. A mix of anticipation and anxiety filled his chest.


    “Hadley, I love you. I really do. I want to spend my life with you. Will you?”


    “Oh?”


    Hadley was not surprised at all. She had already guessed what he was about to say.


    She pressed her lips together, a yful smile curling at the corners of her mouth.


    She ignored his question and looked at him teasingly. “Do you even like me?”


    Eric nodded, looking confused by her doubt.


    “That’s not what you said before.” Hadley narrowed her eyes at him and said, “You told me you were over the past. Don’t you remember?”


    He had said those very words to her not long ago.


    Eric had no idea how to answer. He pretended not to know and shook his head. “Did I really say that? I don’t remember.”


    “Really?” Hadley studied him for a moment and said, “So, are you saying I’m just imagining things?”


    “No, not at all!” Eric shook his head and waved his hands in protest. How could he possibly let her think that?


    With a firm nod, he admitted, “Yes, I did say that.”


    But at the time, he never believed he actually had a chance. Now, everything was different. Hadley had feelings for him. He would be out of his mind to let go.


    Eric scratched his head, looking a little anxious.


    “I was just talking nonsense, refusing to tell you how I felt because I was stubborn! But the truth is, I’ve never really moved on. I’ve always dreamed of being with you!”


    “Really?”


    “Really!”


    Hadley pulled her lips into a faint, almost unreadable smile. “Then tell me, why didn’t you let me watch when you changed your bandages that day?”


    Which day? What bandages? What was she talking about?


    “Oh!” Eric tapped his forehead, trying to remember. “That day…” He quickly tried to exin, “The wound was still bleeding. It looked pretty bad. I was afraid you’d be upset if you saw it. Wouldn’t you?”


    He pouted, lowering his voice. “I was just worried you’d be upset.”


    “Humph!” Hadley gave Eric a scornful look, unimpressed by how cheeky he was.


    She put on a stern face and retorted, “I wouldn’t be upset.”


    “You would.” Ericughed, his voice ringing out.


    He could always tell when Hadley was truly angry and when she was only pretending.


    “Humph.” Hadley gave him a look and said, “What’s so funny?”


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