Chapter 58 You Actually
Let Him Kiss You
Hadley held the medicine bottle tightly, as if it were her last lifeline.
With this, there was nothing to be afraid of.
That evening. That evening, at Galant.
After the performance, Lennon led her toward a private room in the back. “He’s waiting inside.”
“Alright.”
Hadley lifted a hand and knocked on the door.
Before he left, Lennon gave her one last warning. “Watch yourself.”
“Alright.”
“Come in.”
Hadley took a steadying breath and pushed the door open.
“Mr. Murray.”
The room was bathed in soft lighting, the warm glow casting long shadows. A gramophone on the table played a slow, soothing melody.
Duran stood, offering a soft smile as he pulled out a chair for her. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
Duran settled across from her and gestured toward the table. “Hungry? I had these prepared for you.”
”
“Really?”
Her gaze landed on a rich brownie and a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with fresh fruit.
Duran leaned back, watching her reaction. “I asked Lennon. He said you liked these.”
Hadley hesitated for a beat, warmth creeping into her expression. “I do,” she admitted, her voice softer.
Despite everything–his age, the secrecy of their arrangement–he had taken the time to learn something about
her.
Maybe this wouldn’t be as hard as she thought.
“Thank you,” she said, meaning it.
Hadley picked up a spoon and began to eat.
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13.55
Chapter 58 You Actually
Let Him Kiss You
Hadley held the medicine bottle tightly, as if it were her last lifeline.
With this, there was nothing to be afraid of.
That evening. That evening, at Galant.
After the performance, Lennon led her toward a private room in the back. “He’s waiting inside.”
“Alright.”
Hadley lifted a hand and knocked on the door.
her one last warning.
“Alright.”
“Come in.”
and pushed the door open.
“Mr. Murray.”
lighting, the warm glow casting long shadows. A
slow, soothing
offering a soft smile as he pulled out
“Thank you.”
and gestured toward the table. “Hungry? I
you.”
“Really?”
landed on a rich brownie and a bowl of Greek yogurt topped
“I asked
for a beat, warmth creeping into her expression. “I do,” she admitted, her voice softer. Despite everything–his age, the secrecy of their arrangement–he had taken the time
her.
be as hard
she said,
up a spoon
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13:56
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<
makeup and changed into something simple, almost modest. Yet, despite the toned–down look, there was no hiding the quiet elegance she carried–the kind that made people look
for a beat before asking. “How old
“Twenty–four.”
His gaze lingered, the weight of it making his words feel heavier
should.
full.” Hadley set down her spoon.
She pushed back her chair and stood, offering her hand with a small smile. “Thanks for
chuckled, slipping his fingers into hers. “Why
Hadley tensed–just for a second. A shiver of unease flickered through her, but she smothered it before it could
as he slid his other arm around
into step with him as
his voice smooth and
studied her, his gaze unwavering. “Do you
lifted her chin, meeting his
“And you’re willing?”
knew the answer–her actions had spoken for her. But still, Duran wanted to hear
steady, her resolve unmistakable.
lips as she looked up at
when she smiled, it was
to
to tuck a loose strand of
getting late. I should
Was he
caught the flicker of confusion
dinner and everything. It
but kept
steadied herself and followed as
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13:56
O
just outside, Eric’s car approached
in Galant for ages, and he wasn’t here for a casual visit.
on Galant’s entrance. This wasn’t exactly something he could talk to other people–this was personal, and
than parking in front, he had chosen a spot with the perfect view of the door. He’d see Hadley the
almost–ex–husband of the year, acting like some
laughed at
spotted her. Hadley. But she wasn’t
another man’s.
tightened, the
Duran, her voice light.
“Sure.”
the car. But just as he was about to close the door, he
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