Chapter 218
“Silly girl,” Eric muttered, his voice tinged with an odd fondness. Then, as if something primal overtook him, he seized her by the waist and pulled her flush against him.
Hadley stood frozen, lips slightly parted, the ghost of the bitter medicine still clinging to her breath.
“Hadley.”
The way he spoke her name was slow, deliberate, each syllable curling over his tongue with an unsettling certainty.
In a voice as calm as still waters yet as immovable as stone, Eric declared, “You and Denver do not belong together. Tomorrow, you will tell Grandma that you are not interested in him. Understood?”
The words slammed into Hadley. Her heart pounded, a wild rhythm drumming against her ribs.
It was only then that Hadley realized she had been leaning into his chest. A startled jolt ran through her, and she pulled away as if burned. She stumbled back, putting as much distance as she could between them.
Eric’s expression darkened at the loss of contact. His voice dipped, rough with displeasure. “Hadley.”
“Why should I listen to you?”
Hadley could hardly process the fact that Eric, who had always acted like he despised her, was now kissing and embracing her.
Her hands quivered slightly as she shook her head.
“I think Denver is just fine! My life is none of your business!” With that, she turned on her heel and dashed away.
“Hadley!”
Behind her, Eric’s voice rumbled with frustration, thick with anger.
Hadley squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to look back. She was unnerved by Eric’s unpredictable behavior and couldn’t make sense of it.
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Why? What was driving him?
That night, sleep eluded Hadley. Every time she closed her eyes, Eric’s face and the memory of his kiss flooded her thoughts. No matter how hard she tried to push it away, the image lingered like a stubborn shadow.
Before dawn broke the next day, Hadley slipped out of the Flynn Mansion quietly. She had intended to let Nyla know she was leaving, but under the circumstances, facing her felt like climbing a mountain. The longer Hadley stayed in the mansion, the more fear crept into her heart. She resolved to apologize to Nyla later.
Back at her cozy little place on West Twelfth Alley, Hadley finally breathed a sigh of relief. She settled onto her bed and drifted into a much-needed sleep.
That evening, Hadley arrived at Galant. After changing into her costume and prepping for her makeup, she stopped to pick up her phone and dial Nyla.
“Nyla.”
“Hadley?” On the other end, Nyla inquired, “Where did you go? I didn’t see you the entire day.”
“Nyla.” With a soft smile, Hadley explained, “I left early today and wanted to call you. I’ve been staying with the Flynn family for a few days, so I won’t be coming over anymore starting now.”