Chapter 482
“What’s the matter?” he inquired, his hand softly stroking her cheek.
Hadley’s complexion turned even paler. Abruptly, she got up and rushed into the bathroom.
“Hadley!”
Eric moved to follow, but only reached the bathroom door as it clanged shut in front of him.
Inside, Hadley faced herself in the mirror, her entire body quivering, her teeth clattering from the fear.
No, she just couldn’t go through with it!
Cold water cascaded over her face as she twisted the faucet open.
“Hadley?”
The sound of splashing water prompted Eric to rap gently on the bathroom door. “Is something wrong? You don’t seem well. Please, talk to me. I’ll enter if you keep quiet.”
He was mid-sentence when the bathroom door creaked open.
There stood Hadley, her cheeks glistening with water, trying to smile—a gesture more heartrending than weeping.
“I’m okay.”
“Hadley…”
A crease formed on Eric’s forehead as he studied her face, pondering her self-contradiction.
“What’s causing this reaction?”
He expressed the question that had been troubling him.
Eric had observed Hadley’s reluctance to engage in close physical contact, not just with kissing, but even casual touches.
Her eyes met his, her expression wan and evasive, and she shook her head in bewilderment.
“I’m not sure. I’m just… incredibly terrified. Being intimate with people just scares me.”
Was she scared of being close to him?
Apologizing, Hadley managed a weak smile. “I didn’t intend to…”
“It’s not your fault,” Eric reassured her.
Gently, he grasped her hand, drawing her close into a comforting embrace and softly patting her back. “Take your time. As you grow more comfortable with me, the fear will fade.”
“Alright.”
Resting against him, Hadley smiled, yet her eyes betrayed a fleeting chill. She glanced up at him.
“I could use something to eat.”
“Really?” Eric lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “Sure, I’ll find you something.” Teasingly, he pinched her nose. “Who says no eating at night? I’ll pick something light.”
“Sounds good.”
With that, Eric departed.
While fetching snacks, Eric encountered Marshall.
Marshall eyed the plate in Eric’s hands with a hint of scorn. “Never pegged you as the thoughtful type.”
“I need your insight on something.”
Eric brushed off the jab and asked, “What reasons might someone have for disliking or fearing physical closeness with others?”