Chapter 103

Chapter 103:

Eric, clearly irritated, pulled Marshall aside. “Didn’t she head back home? What do you mean you forgot her?”

Marshall was indignant.

“You’re being unreasonable. She came here to deliver documents for you. Weren’t you aware there were no buses back to town? Did you expect her to find her own way?”

Eric scoffed dismissively, “She left by herself. She was just trying to stay longer under false pretenses, but I saw through that.”

Marshall shook his head, not convinced. “Believe me, she’s done with you.”

Ignoring Eric’s protests, Marshall continued towards Hadley.

Eric objected, “And how is this your concern?”

Marshall retorted, “Why stop me?”

“I told you she left on her own terms,” Eric responded, then walked over to where Hadley was seated.

Following him, Marshall cautioned, “Be gentle with her. Remember, she’s vulnerable right now.”

Eric stopped in front of Hadley, who was dabbing her red, sneeze-raw nose with a tissue.

Noticing his presence, she looked up, her expression earnest.

“What are you staring at?” she inquired.

Eric, caught off-guard, stammered, “I thought you were stronger than this. Why haven’t you left?”

Hadley’s face fell, and she remained silent, hurt evident in her demeanor.

“Hold on.” Eric paused, sniffing the air.

He leaned closer and asked, “Hadley, have you been drinking?” He crouched down to meet her gaze. The unmistakable smell of alcohol was overwhelming.

Suddenly, Hadley burst into a fit of giggles, her demeanor lightening. Holding up her fingers close together, she confessed with a playful smile, “Just a little. Really, just a tiny bit!”

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This unexpected reaction from Hadley caught Eric completely off guard.

Her radiant smile disarmed him entirely.

“Her smile could floor anyone,” he thought to himself, stunned by her charm. Overwhelmed by her infectious grin, Eric was left utterly bewitched.

Did Hadley smile at Marshall like this when they were in Nyla’s ward the other day?

At the time, Eric had only seen a quick side view of Hadley, but now he realized this was what Marshall must have witnessed in full.

His gaze sharpened as he studied Hadley’s seemingly unfocused look.

“Do you even recognize me?”

Could she have confused him with Marshall?

After all, it was Marshall who had accompanied Hadley back to the hotel today.

Eric’s expression grew even sterner.

“You?”

Yet, as she looked into Eric’s intense, contemplative eyes, Hadley chuckled lightly. “I know you. You’re Eric. My dearest Eric.”

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