Chapter 638

Chapter 638:

Silence.

Hadley swallowed, knocking again. “Eric, I know I messed up tonight. Please don’t shut me out—open the door, okay?” Still, no response.

“Eric?”

Knock! Knock!

Inside, Eric stood by the liquor cabinet. He reached for a bottle of whiskey, twisting off the cap with a practiced motion before pulling open the bottom drawer. From inside, he retrieved a pack of cigarettes. Lighting one, he inhaled deeply, the burn of nicotine and alcohol settling into his system like an old habit.

Hadley had always nagged him about quitting drinking and smoking. But why should he bother changing himself for someone who couldn’t even be honest with him? She didn’t care. So why should he?

Just as he took another drag, he suddenly froze.

Had he imagined it?

No… he hadn’t.

The hallway outside had gone completely silent.

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

“Hadley!”

Eric’s breath came out ragged, frustration and anger tightening in his chest. With a sharp motion, he yanked off his tie and tossed it aside, grabbed the bottle of whiskey, and then took a long, burning drink.

The silence outside stretched.

gⱯlnσν𝒆𝓁s․com is your storytelling haven

With a heavy sigh, Eric sank onto the sofa, rubbing his temples as his head pounded. What was she doing?

Had she already gone to bed?

Ha! What a heartless woman! He had done everything for her. Was it all for nothing?

So much to ask for even the smallest effort in return?

Just as he was about to take another swig, he suddenly heard a noise outside the door. It wasn’t knocking. It was the sound of metal scraping against the lock. Frowning, he stilled, listening. Someone was trying different keys.

Another click. Another failure.

Then, finally—A soft click. The lock gave way.

“This is the one!” Hadley’s voice muttered from the other side, satisfied with her discovery.

Before she even stepped inside, a sharp wave of alcohol and nicotine hit her.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Hadley strode inside, her eyes immediately landing on the whiskey bottle on the table and the ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts. How much had he already downed? And more importantly—why the hell was he drinking and smoking again? The air was thick with smoke and alcohol, suffocating, almost dizzying.

Hadley’s lips pressed into a thin line. Without a word, she strode over to the window, jerking the curtains aside and pushing it open, letting the crisp night air cut through the heavy fumes.

Upon turning back, her gaze landed on Eric, who was still raising the cigarette to his lips, completely unfazed.

Hadley marched forward, plucked the cigarette from his fingers, and crushed it into the ashtray without hesitation.

“Tsk.”

.

.

.