Chapter 459
“It’s not that…” Eric shook his head in frustration. “Why does there have to be a reason?”
“In that case…” Hadley didn’t look away. She met his stare head-on. “Let me put it another way, Eric. Do you have feelings for me?”
Suddenly, Eric’s spine went rigid, and a strange tingling crept up his scalp.
What kind of ridiculous question was that?
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Hadley continued.
“You don’t have feelings for me,” Hadley cut in before he could scramble for an answer.
She stared at him, her clear eyes sharp enough to slice through his defenses. “Linda’s words are just like the law to you, aren’t they? For her, you would do anything.”
What? Eric was stunned. What was Hadley implying?
Did she really think he was doing this because Linda had asked him to?
“That’s not true!” Eric blurted, eager to deny it and explain.
“Yes, it is!” Hadley didn’t want to hear another word. Her voice dripped with scorn as she sneered. “You’re unbelievable, you know that? We have known each other for almost ten years, and you have hated me for nearly all of them.
But now, for Linda’s sake, you suddenly want me? Isn’t that ridiculous?”
“You…”
Eric’s temper flared. His grip tightened around her shoulders, his breath turning ragged with frustration. “Is this about Denver? Do you really like him that much?”
“Yes, I do!” Hadley lifted her chin, her voice firm and unshaken. “Denver is amazing. Why shouldn’t I like him?”
Eric’s breath hitched, a strange numbness creeping into his chest. For a split second, it felt like something inside him cracked.
A vein pulsed in his temple as he snapped, “Shut up! I don’t want to hear another word!”
He couldn’t take it anymore.
Hadley ignored him entirely, indifferent to his thoughts. “Denver treats me well. He respects and cherishes me. No one has ever valued me this much. I like him! And you…”
She shot him a glare filled with pure loathing, as if he were nothing more than an enemy.
Then, without a moment’s hesitation, she used all her strength and slammed her forehead into his. Completely unprepared, Eric staggered back and collapsed onto the floor.
“But it’s over now!” Hadley let out a bitter laugh between quiet sobs. “You ruined everything! It’s you!”
Wait… Her phone was in her bag!
Since she hadn’t fully recovered, she dropped to the floor and began crawling toward the sofa, where her bag rested.
“What are you doing?” Eric’s wary gaze followed her every movement.
However, Hadley didn’t answer. She just dragged herself across the floor. At last, she reached out, her fingers barely brushing against the bag. She strained to pull it closer. Fortunately, the phone was right in the side pocket.
With a sharp clatter, the phone tumbled to the floor.
Hadley exhaled in relief, her trembling fingers sliding over the screen as she slowly unlocked it.