hapter 176 She Had Been

All Alone

The car was steeped in silence.

Eric’s gaze dropped to the woman in his arms. Hadley’s eyes were tightly shut, her face turned away as if refusing to acknowledge him. But the redness at the corners of her eyes–still damp with unshed tears- betrayed her.

Was it just a physical reaction? Or… was she crying for someone else?

The thought sent a chill through him, and his expression darkened.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said, his voice devoid of warmth.

Releasing her, he stepped out first, walking around to the passenger side before gathering her into his arms. The moment he lifted her, he felt the faintest tremor run through her body.

Eric’s frown deepened. “What’s wrong?”

Hadley shook her head, silent.

She didn’t have to say it–he already knew. He had lost control earlier, had let his emotions override his restraint. He had been too rough. Did he hurt her?

His arms tightened around her as his pace quickened, carrying her from the garage straight into the house. Entering the master bedroom, he gently laid her down on the bed.

Reaching out, he brushed aside her disheveled hair, but–Hadley turned her face away, avoiding his touch.

Eric froze. His hand hovered for a moment before he withdrew it.

Finally, his voice broke through, quieter this time. “Rest. I’ll run you a bath.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode toward the bathroom.

The moment she heard the water start running, Hadley’s eyes snapped open. A mist of unshed tears blurred her vision, leaving her gaze red and puffy.

Afraid he might come back at any second, she threw off the covers, slipped out of bed, and rushed straight for

the door.

By the time Eric returned, a fresh set of pajamas in hand, he was completely unaware of what had just happened.

“Hadley, the bath is-

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Chapter 176 She Had Been All Alone

He sat down at the edge of the bed, reaching to pull back the blanket. But the moment his hand brushed against it, an odd sensation gripped him.

Something felt off. Frowning, he yanked the blanket back–Empty.

His chest tightened.

“Hadley?”

Eric shot to his feet, scanning the room. His heart pounded as he checked the bathroom, the closet, the balcony -nothing.

A surge of panic crashed through him as he bolted out of the bedroom, tearing through Silver Villas like a man possessed.

matter where he looked–she wasn’t

phone and dialed her number.

echoed immediately.

the living

shoes neatly in place. The only thing missing were a single pair of

went out in nothing but a thin sweater and

fists, frustration and regret colliding in his chest.

phone, without a coat–how would

for a moment, fingers pressing against his temples as his mind

had

had happened between them last

man–as her man–he would have known the moment he held

by jealousy, he hadn’t been able to think straight.

anger had turned into

these things had never mattered to him. But with Hadley, every little thing got under his skin.

she kept insisting… that he

now, here they were.

really was a bastard. But that didn’t

one

Pulling up the surveillance footage, he fast- forwarded until he spotted Hadley. She had left less than twenty minutes ago.

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grainy black–and–white footage showed her stepping out of the house, wrapped only in a thin sweater, her arms crossed tightly

heart clenched at the sight. Damn it.

friends in Srixby, which meant there was only one place she could have gone–her apartment at

time, Eric grabbed his keys and tore out of

“Hadley, Hadley!”

of her apartment, his voice raw, his breath

His voice was low, almost pleading. “Please…

knocked, no matter

He had expected

you out here

door, his expression laced with irritation. “Quit making a scene! No

What?

body stiffened. His fingers curled at his sides. How

“Tenant moved out weeks ago. Place

smirk, sizing him up. “Guess

The man door shut in

Hadley didn’t live here anymore.

for a moment, his frustration mounting.

could Hadley

time–calling property management, Phillips, anyone who could

made it back to Silver Villas, the surveillance footage had already been retrieved. His gaze locked onto the screen.

only captured part of the license plate. Just a few digits.

“Phillips!”

Flynn.” He didn’t need to ask–he already knew what

was a lead. They had the car’s color, model, and partial plate number–that

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long, and her circle was small. She didn’t have many

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