Chapter 493
“Eric…”
“Humph.”
His eyes chilled as he felt her resistance. “Is this your way of saying sorry? If you can’t even stand my embrace, why bother coming?”
“No…”
Hadley was quick to clarify.
“It’s not that I’m refusing your hug. It’s just that you’re quite heavy—I wasn’t prepared to catch you.”
His acceptance of her explanation was evident. Raising an eyebrow, Eric drew her close. His breath was warm against her ear, his tone low and seductive.
“Hadley, I’m feeling lightheaded.”
Now that he was so close, the strong smell of alcohol was unmistakable. Clearly, he had been drinking heavily, which explained his dizziness. Hadley clenched her teeth and gathered her strength to help him.
“Let’s get you inside.”
Her strength was barely enough to maneuver him onto the couch, and she started to sweat lightly from the effort.
“Ugh… huh…”
Eric moaned from the couch, clutching his head.
“Hadley, I’m really not feeling well.”
“I can see that.”
With a concerned frown, Hadley said,
“Rest here for now. I’ll go make something for you.”
She walked away but quickly returned with a blanket in hand. After draping it over him, she made her way to the kitchen. Having stayed here long enough, she knew exactly where everything was stored.
She put the kettle on and found the honey jar. When the honey water was ready, she brought it out to the living room.
“My head is killing me!” Eric called out petulantly. “Hadley! Where did you go?”
“Right here!” Hadley hurried to his side and supported him. “I was in the kitchen making some honey water for you.”
“I don’t want any!” Eric grimaced, turning his face away.
With patience, Hadley encouraged him. “You said your head hurts, right? This should help.” She gently brought the cup to his lips.
He eyed the cup suspiciously. “Did you prepare this—for me?”
“Yes,” Hadley confirmed. Was there an issue?
“Ah.” A faint smile crossed Eric’s face. “In that case, I’ll have some.”
Acknowledging her effort, he leaned in and took small sips of the honey water. When he finished, he clutched Hadley’s hand tightly. “Please stay. Don’t leave. Hadley, stay with me.”
With that, he slumped back onto the sofa and fell into a deep sleep. Hadley tried to withdraw her hand but found she couldn’t. Could he really be this strong even while asleep?
As the first light of day filtered in, Eric jolted awake and sat up abruptly. “Hadley!” Silence met his call. The blanket had fallen to the floor, and she was nowhere in sight.
Eric touched his forehead, wondering if the previous night had been a dream. Hadley must have been disgusted by him—she’d seen how he acted with Linda and didn’t want him anymore.