Chapter 45 Are They Still Together Now

“What the hell is that?”

A slick, unpleasant sensation clung to the bottom of Eric’s shoe, sending a shudder up his spine.

He aimed his phone’s flashlight downward, only to find that he had stepped on something soft–and clearly edible.

Disgust twisted his expression as he yanked his foot back.

Irritated, he stomped twice, shaking off the remnants, and then strode forward, his patience already wearing

thin.

Behind him, Hadley threw the door wide open.

She just realized that, without meaning to, she might have dropped her pumpkin soup earlier when she was startled by Eric’s presence at her doorstep.

Turning on her phone’s flashlight, she scanned the area, sweeping the beam across the hallway until she spotted it in the corner. But the sight made her stomach drop–the bowl lay shattered, with soup splattered messily across the floor.

Hadley released a slow, disappointed breath. “It’s completely ruined,” she muttered under her breath.

Without hesitation, she turned away, reached for a mop, and set to work. It only made sense that she should

be the one to clean up the mess.

Still, she didn’t dwell on the spilled soup for long.

By the next morning, she had put it out of her mind and arrived at the address Elvin had sent, stepping in right on time alongside a small group of other dance stand–ins.

What she hadn’t expected was to see Adonis there as well, standing next to the choreographer.

“I’ll make this quick,” he said, his tone brisk. “The choreographer and I have already discussed what I want to

present. Every routine they’ve designed needs to be drilled until it’s flawless. When the cameras roll, I don’t want a single pause.”

Adonis had built his reputation on filming scenes in a single, continuous take, demanding that his actors,

actresses, and even background dancers perform with the precision and stamina of a Broadway production.

“Yes, sir,” the girls replied in unison.

Hadley gave herself a silent pep talk.

She wasn’t nervous. As a dancer, her job was to execute every move with precision, and she was more than

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Chapter 45 Are They Still Together Now

ready for it.

Rajab’s Family My Boys is Going to Pakistan Rajab is totally Alone now

From morning until well past midday, Hadley and the other girls pushed themselves to their limits under the choreographer’s watchful eye, sweating through every grueling sequence.

Adonis‘ expectations were nothing short of relentless. And this was just for the opening number–or so they’d

been told.

By the time the choreographer finally clapped his hands and dismissed them, the clock had already passed two

in the afternoon.

sure you keep practicing when you get home. You all know exactly what Mr. Faulkner expects

“We will.”

“Alright.”

her stomach as

given boxed lunches earlier, but after dancing for hours on

she had a decision to make–grab a burger nearby or drag herself home and make something for herself?

of cooking–though more economical–felt exhausting. She needed food immediately.

burger, unwrapped it, and took a bite as she continued

walking.

called out to her.

Hadley lifted her

with an expression that made it seem like he thought she

“Hadley!”

steps closer, the man’s face broke into

grown so much–I barely recognized you…” His voice faded, the rest of his sentence left hanging in the air.

a quiet scoff, the sarcasm evident in her voice. “Look, could you move?

thrown off by her

eyebrow, her tone indifferent.

couldn’t tell if she had truly

years–five, to be exact. You’ve changed a lot, but I haven’t. If you just take a second to think, you

have no idea what you’re

had no patience for this conversation. “I don’t know you. Get out of

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45 Are They

a response, she stepped around him,

“Hadley!”

nowhere, the man reached for her and grabbed her arm. “Wait–just listen for

around her wrist, something deep inside Hadley snapped, like

“Ah!”

eyes widened in pure panic. She struggled violently against his grip, her breathing turning

“Is something wrong?”

his face. He didn’t understand why she

trying to hurt you!

touch

flashing in her eyes, but no matter how hard she

the more his hold tightened. “Hadley, what’s wrong?

hands off her!”

the situation could spiral

It was Eric.

glow that accentuated his striking features, making him

the middle–aged man’s wrist. As he moved, the

there was an effortless smoothness to the way

out in a whisper, barely believing he was standing there,

“I’m here.”

were barely

something in her tone–a quiet, unspoken reliance on him–that sent an unexpected

toward the man gripping Hadley’s

let go. Are you deaf?”

“You…”

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They Still Together Now

man finally seemed to recognize him. His grip loosened instantly,

a sharp,

shook off the man’s hand as if the very touch was beneath him. “So you know who I am. And yet you still thought you could put your hands on

didn’t spare the man another glance. His attention was solely on

color, her body trembling, her lips pale. She looked

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