Chapter 221 I Won’t Stop You Again

Of course, Hadley knew that Joy meant more to her than Eric ever could. How could he even compare?

But that wasn’t something she could say out loud.

She took a steadying breath, gripping her phone. “Where are you?” Pressing her lips together, she tried to soothe him. “Let’s talk in person, okay?”

On the other end of the line, Eric let out a low, self–mocking chuckle. “Where am I?” he echoed, his tone laced with bitterness. “Take a guess.”

Hadley exhaled softly. She didn’t need to guess–they had already agreed he’d pick her up from the dance studio.

“I understand.” Her brows furrowed slightly. “I’m coming over now. Just wait for me, alright?”

But Eric didn’t reply. The call ended in silence.

Without wasting another second, Hadley grabbed her things and rushed to the studio.

The moment Hadley arrived, her eyes immediately found Eric’s car parked by the curb.

She hurried over, reaching for the passenger door–it wasn’t locked. Without hesitation, she slipped inside.

The warm air from the heater wrapped around her.

Hadley took a deep breath, mentally bracing herself for what was to come.

“Speak” Eric’s voice cut through the silence, low and sharp.

Turning his head, he fixed his piercing gaze on her. “Where were you? And why?”

“L…”

Hadley faltered, still piecing together how to explain. “Something came up unexpectedly.”

“What kind of thing?” His voice darkened, his frustration evident. “That can’t possibly be your explanation!”

Hadley hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “It was my housemate… she needed something” seriously?”

Was that all she had to say?

A sharp scoff escaped Eric, his disbelief morphing into something colder, sharper. “I waited for you all night,

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< Chapter 2211 Won’t Stop You Again

Hadley.” His tone was edged with restrained anger. “And you ditched me–for a housemate?”

“Yes, I…”

Hadley lowered her gaze, her fingers curling slightly in her lap.

She knew she had let him down. She had broken their plans, and he had every right to be upset.

And yet she couldn’t risk pushing him too far right now.

So instead, she softened her voice, reaching for whatever fragile truce she could manage.

Hadley inhaled deeply, steadying herself before meeting Eric’s gaze. Her voice was quiet, but sincere. “I’m sorry for not showing up. It was my fault… I-”

“Save it.” Eric’s voice sliced through her apology, sharp with frustration.

into her, unrelenting. “What was so important that you blew me off? That you couldn’t

fingers clenched in her lap. She averted her gaze, her voice barely above

tell him? What kind of

tightened around her shoulders, not in

me, ignore me all night–and I don’t even deserve a real answer? Do you have any idea–do you

he had spent the

that something had happened to her and the fury that she

her safety and resenting

was refusing to

Do I mean nothing to you?” His voice dropped, raw

not matter to

Then, in barely more than a whisper, she murmured, “I’m sorry. It was

That was it?

That was all?

into a cold, humorless chuckle–a hollow sound that carried

shifted, his gaze hardening as if something inside

whatever you want.”

grip on Hadley, his hands shifting to the steering wheel

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21:06

voice finally broke

momentarily caught off guard, blinked before nodding

in her chest. His tone was detached. His expression–cold, unreadable. He was

silent. Eric didn’t look at her. Didn’t

he parked the car and got out, walking straight inside–upstairs, without a

softly and then followed.

head for the bedroom, but he didn’t. Instead, he went

outside the door. Raising a hand, she knocked gently.

Silence.

knocking

know I messed up tonight. Please don’t shut me out–open

Still, no response.

“Eric?”

Knock! Knock!

drawer. From inside, he retrieved a pack of cigarettes. Lighting one, he inhaled deeply, the burn

him about quitting drinking and smoking.

for someone who couldn’t even be honest with him? She didn’t care. So

he took another

imagined it?

No… he hadn’t.

outside had gone completely

left? Just like that? So soon? Was that all the patience she had for him?

“Hadley!”

in his chest. With a sharp motion, he yanked off his

silence outside stretched.

heavy sigh, Eric Bank onto the sofa, rubbing his temples as his head pounded.

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Won’t Stop

she doing?

gone to bed?

a heartless woman! He had done everything for her. Was it

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