Chapter 46 He Just Got The Wrong Person

As the car moved down the road, Eric kept stealing glances at Hadley beside him.

“You alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Hadley gave a small nod, though her body language told a different story. Her grip on her backpack was rigid, fingers locked around the straps like she was holding on for dear life.

Eric didn’t miss the way Hadley clung to her bag, her fingers curled tightly around the straps. His brow knit together.

There was no mistaking it–she was still shaken from what had happened.

The thought of that middle–aged man made irritation flare inside him. “Who the hell was that guy? What was his problem?”

No matter what excuse that man had, Eric wasn’t the type to let someone lay a hand on his family and get away with it.

“I’ve never seen him before,” Hadley said with a small shake of her head after a brief silence. “He must have confused me with someone else.”

“Really?” Eric’s brows knit together as he processed that. Was that really all there was to it?

Something about that man’s behavior didn’t sit right with him. It hadn’t felt like a simple misunderstanding

“Yeah, that’s what happened,” Hadley confirmed with a decisive nod. “I tried explaining, but he wouldn’t listen. Then he started grabbing me…”

Eric let out a low grunt, accepting her explanation. “What a lunatic!”

But if Hadley had no idea who the guy was, that meant Eric had no way of tracking him down.

Eric frowned, realizing too late that he hadn’t pressed for more details when he had the chance.

“You know…” Eric began, still unsettled by everything that had happened, “What would you have done if I hadn’t shown up?”

Hadley turned to him, the question catching her off guard. Uncertainty flickered in her gaze.

“Unbelievable,” Eric muttered, exhaling sharply before shaking his head. “You were in a crowded area. Why didn’t you scream? Someone would’ve helped you!”

It should’ve been the first thing she thought to do, and yet she hadn’t How could she be so careless about her

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< Chapter 46 He Just Got The Wrong Person

own safety?.

Hadley nodded, taking in what he said. “Alright, I’ll keep that in mind next time

Neither of them spoke after that. The conversation faded, leafing the car in allence

Eric sat there, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel The urge to ask why she reacted so strongly to being touched weighed on his mind, but for some reason, the words refused to come out

He pulled up near the entrance of West Twelfth Alley and brought the car to a smooth stop

to him with a polite

Eric responded without

adjusting her backpack as she moved in the

called after her, picking up the item.

A hamburger.

my bad,” Hadley hurriedly grabbed it, offering a

What?

care

Hadley gave a firm nod. Wouldn’t he, though?

made noodles at

forgotten either.

now, he had

“No!”

was more defensiveness in his tone than conviction. “That was totally different! You’re twisting things. Don’t go acting like 1 complain

and clear,” Hadley

clue why he’s making such a

suddenly felt uneasy. “Wait. Don’t tell me that’s

yet? At this hour? And

head. “I

but his gaze fell on her backpack It was a flimsy one, the kind one could buy for a

old T–shirt and cargo

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simple if you’re being generous. Call it run–down

attention before, never looked too closely

been dressing like this ever since she got back from abroad.

told him she was done being a burden, that she wanted

terms.

it was clear now–she meant every word.

mind, Hadley zipped up her

gave him a quick wave.

“Yeah. See you.”

his eyes following her as she walked off, each

nagging weight he couldn’t shake. He didn’t know what to call it, but it lingered, gnawing

night fell, Srixby was pulsing with

bursting

finale of the dance–off competition.

finals even began, the club was packed wall–to–wall. Security had to turn people away just

gave it their all, but when

“S! Dance Queen!”

“S! Dance Queen!”

“S! Dance Queen!”

as Hadley slipped backstage. Even

seen this coming, and watching it unfold exactly as

hadn’t predicted was that Eric wouldn’t be here to see it.

pressing his fingers to his temples.

around for days. That night might’ve just

Lennon blinked, taken aback.

“Sure, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s nowhere to be seen tonight,” Hadley pointed out, keeping

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