Chapter 639

Chapter 639:

Eric’s brows twitched in displeasure, but he didn’t object.

Hadley exhaled sharply, and then finally spoke. “Is this it now? Just whiskey and cigarettes? Do you even care about your health?”

“Hmm?” Eric tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into a mocking smirk. “What’s this? You worried about me?”

“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate.

Eric let out a short, humorless laugh, his exhale sending a thin trail of smoke curling into the air. “Now, that’s interesting.” His smirk deepened, eyes glinting with something unreadable. “You? Worried about me? Weren’t you the one who didn’t give a damn?”

“I, uh…”

Before she could even process a response, his hands suddenly gripped her waist, yanking her onto his lap. A small gasp escaped Hadley’s lips as she found herself pressed against his chest.

“Hadley… tell me the truth.” His voice was low, rough around the edges. “Do you even like me? Yes or no?”

Her pulse hammered against her ribs. What was she supposed to say? What answer was he looking for?

Something told her he wanted her to say yes. That he needed to hear it. But she couldn’t.

“Say something.”

His fingers traced slow circles against her waist, his touch gentle but insistent. But instead of leaning into him, her body stiffened. Her eyes darted away.

And that was when Eric knew. Something inside him hollowed out, went cold. His hand stilled against her waist. “I get it.”

Let your mind wander with gⱯlnσν𝒆𝓁s﹒𝓬𝓸𝗺

For a moment, he just sat there, his expression unreadable. Then, with a hollow chuckle, he leaned back.

“Of course, you don’t.” His lips curled—not in amusement, but in something far more self-deprecating. “I should’ve known better. This whole time, it was just me, wasn’t it? I was the one holding on to something that was never there.”

And just like that—he let go. His voice was quieter now, almost resigned. “Go on. I won’t stop you again.”

What could this possibly mean? Hadley’s gaze lingered on Eric, trying to decipher if he was suggesting they break up.

A wave of panic washed over her. She said cautiously, “Eric…”

“Leave!”

There was a touch of sorrow in Eric’s eyes as he dismissed her with a tired gesture. “Go, quickly. Leave before I reconsider. Just go!”

Stunned, Hadley froze.

“Go!” Eric’s voice rose sharply, jolting her. Her shoulders shook as she frowned, hesitated briefly, and then turned to leave.

Her footsteps echoed away, and the study door clicked shut behind her. Eric’s expression sharpened as he rose and made his way to the liquor cabinet.

The burn of the strong alcohol felt stark as he swallowed, pondering if anyone remembered what day it was.

It was his birthday—not the public figure Eric Flynn’s, but his, alone.

It seemed no one remembered anymore.

In earlier times, Linda would have stealthily presented him with gifts and celebrated with him.

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