Chapter 51 You Are Not

Allowed To Smile At Them

“Alright,” the grocery store owner responded, giving a quick nod without a second thought.

Hadley, meanwhile, stood frozen, completely thrown off by what had just happened.

Eric turned on her abruptly, his gaze sharp and impatient. “Why are you just standing there? Pay for the flour already!”

“Huh? Oh–okay,” Hadley stammered as she fumbled to find her wallet. “Just a second.”

Eric’s gaze darkened as he caught the store owner sneaking glances at Hadley. Was she really this oblivious? How could she not pick up on it? Wasn’t it obvious to her what was going on?

“What’s taking so long?”

His voice cut through the moment, growing harsher. Something as simple as finding her wallet shouldn’t be dragging on.

“There,” Hadley said, handing over the cash. “All set.”

“No, it’s nothing…” The owner’s gaze flickered toward Eric, hesitating “Hadley, he, uh, he is…”

“Shouldn’t you be on your way?” Eric interjected, his cold, piercing stare cutting through the tension like a blade.

The owner tensed, his resolve crumbling in an instant. He knew better than to press further. “Ah, well… Hadley, I’ll get going then…”

“Alright, take care.”

Hadley gave him an awkward little wave.

“What are you staring at?”

Eric’s patience snapped, his voice edged with irritation. What was so fascinating?

And that lollipop in Hadley’s mouth had been driving him up the wall.

Before she could react, Eric reached over, plucked it from her lips, and tossed it straight into the roadside gutter.

Hadley stared at him, stunned. “What is wrong with you?”

“Why are you yelling?”

Eric had tolerated enough. Some random man handed her candy, and she just ate it without a second thought?

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Now that it was gone, at least he felt a sense of relief.

His eyes locked onto Hadley’s. “Cheap candy. I bet it tastes just as cheap. You’re not allowed to eat stuff like

that.”

What? Hadley couldn’t find the words to respond.

Did she ever ask him to try it? And what did how the candy tasted have to do with him?

Watching her fume in frustration only soured Eric’s mood further. “Who was that guy? What’s he to you? Are you seriously upset just because I threw out the lollipop he gave you?”

even talking about?” Hadley blinked, baffled. “He owns the

was just being nice and gave me candy, and you tossed

for that?”

all there is to it?” Eric’s eyes narrowed

there be?” Hadley shot back, still not following where he was

Alright..

quickly caught on–it was just some guy nursing

lips as he crouched down, hoisting

a hand.”

“Alright.”

over, her thoughts lingering. Since when had

boxes in his arms and motioned toward her.

tone might have come off a

that?” he

“I can.”

firm nod and

she hesitated. “Are you sure that’s not too heavy?”

remember, she had never once seen Eric do any kind of

You call

out a mocking scoff as he strode ahead without slowing down. “Move it. Don’t just stand

his posture radiated

at all?” she thought. No one forced him to help, yet he went

she grabbed the fruit

that much. He carried the heavy boxes straight to her apartment and

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Chapter 51 You Are Not Allowed To

to the fifth floor without

“Open the door.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

the lock until the door finally swung open. Eric walked in and dropped the boxes onto the floor without ceremony. His chest rose and fell with

on his face.

forehead and felt a slight pang of guilt.

Eric didn’t

“What?”

“A towel.”

glare sharpened. “What else do you expect me to wipe

grab one!”

fresh towel,

as he shot her

confusion. What now? What had she done this

Eric clicked his tongue, clearly irritated. “You seriously expect me

dust from carrying your stuff. How do you expect me to clean

mumbling, “Do you want

the words left her mouth, she regretted them. No one annoyed Eric

“Or maybe-”

her off, impatience flashing in his eyes. “Just get it over with. This

an elevator.”

for a beat, but Eric wasn’t having it. “What are you standing

a small

extra height from her heels, Hadley barely reached

When Hadley stretched onto her

you even reach?”

“I can.”

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