Chapter 167 Why Are You

Here

Eric frowned. Hadley had been in the restroom too long. A gnawing unease settled in his chest, pushing him to check on her.

Through the door, her voice was sharp, accusing him of something inappropriate with Linda. Then–without hesitation–she tossed the hair tie he’d given her straight into the trash.

He stood there, waiting, half–expecting her to say something. To acknowledge him.

But Hadley didn’t even spare him a glance. She stepped past him like nothing had happened.

As she moved past, he caught her wrist.

His voice was low, edged with tension. “Pick it up.”

“What?” Hadley let out a quiet laugh. “Why would I pick up something I threw away? It is disgusting.”

“Pick it up!” Eric’s voice cut through the air, sharper this time, his gaze locking onto hers with unyielding intensity. “I said, pick it up.”

“Ouch!”

Hadley flinched as his grip tightened around her wrist. She shot him a glare, yanking against his hold. “I won’t! You can’t make me!”

Her eyes burned–fierce, unwavering.

“Trash belongs where it belongs–in the trash!”

Trash?

Eric’s jaw tightened. Had she really just called the hair tie he gave her trash?

His free hand curled into fist at his side, frustration simmering beneath his skin. “That was a gift from me!”

“Ha.”

Hadley let out a sharp laugh, her sneer cutting. “You think it’s appropriate to give us both the same gift? Does Ernest know? That you gave his wife and me the exact same thing?”

She pointed at the trash can, mockery laced in every word. “I tossed it for your sake. Wouldn’t want Ernest catching on to your shady intentions and ruining his recovery, now would we?”

Eric’s fingers tightened around her wrist. Hard.

Hadley sucked in a sharp breath, her wince barely concealed. It felt like he was moments away from crushing

0.0%

O Q

x+

20:44

the bone.

“Shady intentions?”

something even colder. “Is that

you don’t want Ernest to lose it, you should keep your dirty little secrets buried.”

sharp. “Shut up!” Without hesitation, she raised a hand and slapped Hadley

you talk about

But the shock didn’t last long. Her instincts took over

in shock. Her voice wavered

eyes cold. “Oh, so it’s fine when you hit me, but I can’t return the favor? Doesn’t work

letting

seething, Linda

could land a blounged

rip clean off.

hair–yanking hard enough that it

hurts! Let go!” Linda shrieked, tears

rushed forward, grabbing Hadley’s wrist. “Let

Ernest were

didn’t let go. Didn’t

tighten his grip, prying Hadley’s

low, bitter laugh. “You two really know how

“Hadley!”

“What?”

jaw tightened, his usually controlled expression clouded with frustration. His eyes

I’m that

truth too much for you? Or are you just too much of a coward to face

“Hadley!”

face up until their eyes locked. His gaze was unreadable, but the weight behind it pressed

24.0%

you saw me this way. If that’s how you feel, why did you even say yes when I asked you to be my

he let go and turned away. Without sparing Linda a glance, he strode

Linda scrambled after him, fingers fumbling to fix her disheveled

the moment

with a sharp exhale, she knocked

purely

she have let the truth slip so easily?

that the illusion was shattered, how was she supposed to keep

days, Eric didn’t call or text Hadley. The usual flowers he sent to

nagging at the back of her mind–was

clear. But she needed him. Joy

couldn’t afford to let this fall

Eric wasn’t going to come to her, then she’d just have

it. But that day, frustration had won. She hadn’t been able to

she opened WhatsApp and typed,

that

the first on stage,

of the studio,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255