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-

0.0%

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.

he looked–she wasn’t there.

his phone and dialed

ringtone echoed immediately.

toward the sound, eyes locking onto the

hung by the entrance, her shoes neatly in place. The only thing missing were a

nothing but a thin

frustration and regret colliding in

a coat–how would she

eyes for a moment, fingers pressing against his temples

the car… He had lost control. He

Denver… nothing had happened between them last

have known the moment he

he hadn’t

had turned

never mattered to him. But

he wasn’t as good as

now, here they were.

about one thing–he really was a bastard. But

now, there was only one thing that

movements swift, his mind racing. Pulling up the surveillance footage, he

21.1%

20:48

wrapped only in a thin sweater, her arms crossed tightly over her chest against the biting cold.

at the sight. Damn it. Where could she have

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

keys and tore out of the house, driving straight into the

“Hadley, Hadley!”

apartment, his voice raw,

sorry, okay?” Eric murmured, pressing his forehead against the doorframe. His voice was low, almost

knocked, no matter how many times he

had expected that. But still—

out here making so much noise?”

a neighbor cracked open his door, his expression laced with irritation. “Quit making a scene! No one lives there anymore–who are

What?

His fingers curled at his sides. How could that be?

moved out weeks ago. Place has been

shot him a smirk, sizing him up. “Guess you two weren’t as close

man door shut in Eric’s face.

didn’t live here anymore. She was gone.

for a moment,

could Hadley have

no time–calling property management, Phillips, anyone who could help.

already been retrieved. His gaze locked onto the screen. There she was–Hadley–hurrying out of his house, slipping into a

plate. Just a few

“Phillips!”

Mr. Flynn.” He didn’t need to ask–he already knew what Eric wanted. “I’ll have someone look into it

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

46.4%

20:48

long, and

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

Comments ()

0/255