Eric parted his lips to call her name again but paused. A second thought crossed his mind. Tonight had been a disaster, and much of it was his fault. The least he could do was carry her inside.
He bent down, one arm sliding beneath her neck to support her shoulders, while the other tucked under her knees.
Just as he prepared to lift her, Hadley’s eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes snapped open.
Caught off guard, Eric tensed. His footing faltered, and before he could regain his balance, he lurched forward.
There was no time to react. His lips met hers-warm, soft, and completely unintentional.
As their lips briefly met, the softness was unexpectedly profound. Almost immediately, Hadley was overwhelmed with a flood of emotions, her eyes flashing with shock.
She reacted instinctively, pushing Eric away with force, using both her hands and feet. “Let go of me! What are you doing? Get off!”
“Hadley, what’s going on here?” Eric asked, visibly annoyed. “Do you really think I was trying to hold you romantically? You were asleep, and I was simply trying to help. The kiss was an accident. I lost my balance!”
“Back off!” Hadley shouted, her voice trembling with anger.
“Calm down, alright? I’m letting you go!” Eric stepped back immediately, but his gaze shifted to her arms. Seeing the cuts and blood, concern flashed across his face.
He reached out instinctively, touching her arm gently. “Did these wounds happen when you were defending yourself? Are you hurt? Why didn’t you mention these at the station?”
Hadley’s emotions surged, and she suddenly clutched her head, letting out a piercing scream. “I said back off! Stay away from me!”
Eric was taken aback, his thoughts racing. He quickly withdrew his hand and stepped back. “Okay, okay! I was just trying to help, but clearly, it didn’t work out.”
Hadley closed her eyes tightly, screaming again, shaking her head as if trying to block out his voice.
“Hadley!” Eric called out, frustration seeping into his tone. He slapped his hand against the car in frustration. “Settle down! Look at me!”
The force of his slap made the car vibrate. Hadley went still, then slowly opened her eyes.
Seeing that Eric had maintained his distance, she started to relax.
She gripped her backpack tightly and whispered, “Move back a few steps, please.”
This gave her enough space to exit the vehicle.
Eric, his frustration still evident, nodded and stepped back.
Hadley pressed her lips together, bowed her head, and quickly climbed out of the car, walking away briskly.
Watching her retreat, Eric couldn’t help but scoff. “What is she thinking? Does she really believe I was going to do something to her?” How ridiculous! Shaking his head, he trailed after her.
“Hadley.”
Upon entering the living room, he called out again.
Hadley paused but didn’t turn around. “What is it?”
Eric’s laugh was cold, tinged with contempt. “Really, Hadley, your behavior earlier. Did you actually think I was about to make a move on you?”
Hadley’s gaze dropped to the floor, her silence filling the room.
He took that as confirmation.
His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Unbelievable! I wasn’t interested in you four years ago, and now you think I suddenly am?”
Abruptly, she spun around to meet his gaze. “I’m well aware of how little I mean to you. I’m probably worth less than the family dog to you. You don’t need to keep emphasizing it; I understand already.”
Eric was momentarily speechless.
“Less than the family dog?” Had he ever implied that?
He scoffed with a touch of disdain. “Good to know you understand. At least a dog listens. You just seem to cause trouble.”
“Yes.” Hadley’s face showed no emotion. “Are we done here? I’d like to rest now.”
Eric paused, taken aback by her lack of reaction. He shook his head and gestured dismissively. “Go ahead… whatever.”
As Hadley turned to leave, a thought struck Eric. “Wait!”
“What now?” Hadley looked back, her expression tight with annoyance. Despite her impatience, Eric couldn’t help but let out a frustrated chuckle. “Really? Giving me attitude now? Tell me. Which room have you been using these days?”
Hadley hesitated, then chose not to respond.
Eric’s suspicion grew. “I looked around, and none of the guest rooms are used. Where have you been sleeping these last few nights?”
Hadley remained silent, her posture defensive.
Hadley was taken aback by his sudden interest in the servants’ quarters, though she didn’t feel inclined to ask why he had looked. As the owner of the house, he had every right to inspect it whenever he pleased.
She gestured toward the living area. “I’ve been sleeping on the couch.”
“You’ve been sleeping on the couch?” Eric was surprised.
“Don’t worry about it,” Hadley replied. “I’ve kept it clean. There’s no dirt or strange smells.”
After a brief pause, she added, “If it bothers you, I can cover the cleaning costs.”
Eric was momentarily speechless.
“Is there anything else?”
It was clear that Hadley wanted to end their conversation. “I’m exhausted, and I’d just like to wash up and go to sleep.”
With that, she walked deeper into the house.
Curious, Eric followed her. He watched as she entered the bathroom, noticing a suitcase by the door. From it, she retrieved a change of clothes and her toiletries.
Eric’s frown deepened.
Impulsively, he moved closer and confronted her. “So, this is how you’ve been managing these days?”
Holding her belongings, Hadley nodded. “Yes.”
“Huh?” Eric’s tone was skeptical. “What’s going on with you? Why are you putting yourself through this? Are you out of your mind?”
Hadley didn’t answer directly. Instead, she asked, “May I shower now?”
“Hold on.”
A thought struck Eric. His expression shifted, a knowing smirk forming on his face.
“You’re laying it on thick, aren’t you? Trying to make me feel sorry for you? Do you think this will make me go easy on you? Haven’t you given up yet?”
Hadley’s confusion was evident as she processed his words. “You think I’m trying to win your sympathy to salvage our marriage?”
“What else could it be?” Eric scoffed, his tone dripping with derision. “Why else would someone like you, who’s always had everything she wanted, endure such conditions?”
She always had everything she wanted, huh?
Hadley suppressed a scoff and replied in a calm, measured tone, “Rest easy. I’ve already signed the divorce papers. You won’t have to deal with me much longer.”
“You better mean it.”
Eric watched her closely, his words deliberate and his smirk widening. “I’d advise you to drop the act. Our marriage is definitively over.”
With that, he turned and walked upstairs.
Hadley remained silent, but a cold smirk briefly crossed her face. She knew it was time to find new accommodations. It was time to leave.
In the master bedroom upstairs, Eric, fresh out of the shower, paused while drying his hair. His fingers absently brushed his lips, haunted by the fleeting memory of Hadley’s soft kiss…
A thought struck him, and he quickly began rummaging through the first aid kit. After a moment’s hesitation, he grabbed a new tube of ointment and headed downstairs.
Downstairs, Hadley sat on the sofa, absorbed in her phone, her eyes fixed on the dwindling balance in her banking app. Her spirits sank; it felt as though fate was piling problem upon problem.
“Hadley.”
Eric approached and stopped right in front of her.
Caught off guard, Hadley quickly hid her phone. “What now? Can’t I even sleep on the sofa?”
Eric’s expression darkened into a derisive sneer. “Seems like you’re fond of making things difficult for yourself. I’m not here to stop you.”
He crouched down, placing the ointment on the coffee table with a pointed tap. Then he gestured toward her arm. “Use this on your wounds.”
Surprise flickered across Hadley’s face. Was he actually being considerate by bringing her ointment?
Eric’s gaze remained piercing, his tone cold. “Regardless of all the drama and complications tonight, the fact remains you were injured. This ointment is my apology.”
With that, he turned and walked away, heading upstairs.
Not another word was exchanged.
Hadley sat motionless, her eyes fixed on the ointment long after he had disappeared. Her body was rigid, unable to relax.
Unknowingly, her hands clenched into fists, her whole frame subtly trembling.
“Mr. Flynn truly embodies the qualities of a gentleman,” she thought with a sarcastic smile.
She shifted slightly, attempting to settle back and find some sleep. The ointment remained untouched, her resolve firm against using it.
The following morning arrived.
When Eric descended the stairs, Hadley was already gone. He didn’t linger on it, but as he moved through the living room, his gaze instinctively shifted toward the sofa.
Stopping abruptly, he took a moment to reflect.
Eric walked over and picked up the tube of ointment from the coffee table, examining it carefully. The seal was intact. Hadley hadn’t used it at all.
A cold smirk spread across his face. “Still playing the martyr for attention, I see.”
If Hadley chose not to use the ointment, that was her choice. He wasn’t going to let it bother him.
Memories of how she had hurt Linda four years ago resurfaced. He believed he had already extended more than enough grace to her.
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