Chapter 55 A Passing Spark That Had Long Since Fizzl…

When Hadley peeked inside the bag, het brows knitted together. Lollipops? She puzzled over it, wondering if the whirlwind of the night–the chaos, the excitement, the relentless twists–had finally scrambled her senses

“What are you zoning out for?” Eric glanced at her briefly, his tone laced with casual impatience. “Open one.”

Did he want one for himself?

Hadley gave a small nod. “Alright.”

She reached into the bag, pulled one out, peeled off the wrapper, and held it out to him. “Here.”

Eric’s lips curled into the faintest smirk.

“Why are you handing it to me?”

Huh? Hadley blinked in surprise. If not for him, then for whom? He was the one who told her to open it. Now he didn’t want it? Was he just toying with her?

Eric let out a soft sigh, catching the baffled expression on her face.

He leaned in, plucked the lollipop from her grasp, and murmured, “Open your mouth.”

“Huh?” Hadley’s lips parted slightly in confusion.

Even so, Eric seized the moment. With deliberate ease, he placed the lollipop between her lips.

Hadley’s mind scrambled. What was going on here?

Eric chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction.

For once, there were no barbed words or sharp exchanges between them. And when he smiled like that, with the ghost of boyish mischief flickering in his eyes, he seemed almost innocent.

He gave her a nod. “How is it? Sweet?”

Hadley hesitated, swallowed, and then nodded slowly, her expression dazed. “Yeah”

“So good it’s got you speechless?”

Eric glanced at her, his voice teasing “What, planning to enjoy the whole stash by yourself? There’s a whole bag, you know. Shouldn’t you unwrap one for me too?”

So, he did want one after all?

Hurriedly, Hadley grabbed another, peeled it open, and held it up to his lips.

13.53

Chapter 55 A Passing Spark That Had Long Since Fizzled Out

“Here.”

Eric hummed under his breath before leaning down to take a bite.

The sugary taste hit his tongue, and he frowned slightly. What was so special about this? It was just sugar- something only kids would lose their minds over.

Then again, Hadley was young enough to be swept up in such small joys.

It made sense she liked it.

your lollipop.” Eric’s tone carried a hint of regret. “You gave me hell for it. So, here–I’m making amends with a whole bag, all different flavors. Happy

way of

stunned to respond at first.

seeing her freeze, Eric’s brow creased. “What? You don’t like it?”

her head quickly. “No, I love

was being so oddly generous, but she wasn’t about to risk

annoyed and haul her back to the

long as you like

back,

candy melted on his tongue, and before he even realized

her apartment, Hadley’s phone

in the mood to deal with

whoever was calling wasn’t giving up.

well past midnight now, and Hadley almost felt sorry

and answered.

“Hadley!”

I get through? Are you alright? Did the police

trouble?”

Hadley smirked inwardly.

arrived too

and I’m hanging up now…”

“Wait!”

money. I left in a hurry and forgot to give you

24.0%

13:53

everything set. Let’s meet, and I’ll hand it

“No need.”

His confusion was palpable. “Are

what she needed to say. “I’ll figure out the

done. After this call, I’m blocking you. Please

“Had-”

the rest. Without hesitation, she

her face upward,

she be so foolish? How many times did she have to trip over the same

wouldn’t make the

him had been a misstep,

she endured alone every

feeling the sting

cry, Hadley,” she murmured to herself. “Don’t

something out. For Joy’s sake, she would.

turn away.

pulsed with its usual opulence and energy.

reigning star of the stage, but ever since that

was under Eric’s

a respectful

as time went on,

step out of line.

was that his interest had been fleeting, a passing spark that

he hadn’t shown his face

flowers,

indulgences–had all

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