Tamara moved quickly, took the suitcase from Eric, and loaded it into the trunk. “I’m heading out now.” Hadley gave his arm a gentle shake, hoping he would finally release her hand.

Eric’s eyes lingered on her, and he kept his grip tight, showing no sign of letting go.

With a soft sigh, Hadley clasped his hand, rose onto her toes, and kissed him.

Eric blinked in shock, caught off guard.

For once, she had been the one to kiss him.

Hadley’s gesture was meant to ease his worries.

A wave of heat surged through Eric, setting every nerve alight. Find the newest release on find(?)ovel.net

Without thinking, he cradled her face in his palms and kissed her back, all passion and longing.

Their lips met in a fierce embrace, as if the moment itself could set them ablaze.

Hadley could hardly keep up, her shoulders shaking as she tried to catch her breath. “That’s enough… I really have to go now.”

“Fine.”

Eric managed a stiff nod and released her hand at last, though every part of him wanted to hold on. “Call me when you get there.”

“Alright.” Hadley managed a smile and nodded. “Kiss Joy for me, okay?”

“Of course.”

“I’m heading out now…”

Without waiting around, she climbed into the car and glanced at the driver. “We can go now.”

“Yes, Miss Pearson.”

As the car eased away from the curb, Hadley pressed her hand to her chest, feeling her heart hammering inside.

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Eric stayed rooted in place, watching as the car rolled through the south gate and disappeared. All the warmth in his face faded, replaced by a lonely shadow.

A deep breath left him, heavy and drawn out.

Now what?

She was barely out of sight, yet he already missed her presence.

Turning away, he walked back inside. He returned to Hadley’s room, needing to breathe in the traces she left behind, unable to sleep without that comfort.

By morning, Eric was up before anyone else. He finished his own business quickly and then headed upstairs to wake Joy.

He helped his daughter get dressed and took care of her morning routine.

By now, all those small tasks felt natural to him.

After breakfast with Joy, he finally left the house and made his way to the office.

The day passed in a blur of activity, no different from any other.

When the clock struck four, Eric finally had a spare moment to relax.

He stretched out on the sofa, eyes closed, and called out to Phillips, “What’s next on the agenda?”

“You can take a nap if you want, sir.” Phillips glanced over the schedule, keeping Hadley’s reminders in mind and not wanting Eric to get overworked. “That’s all for now. There’s a dinner at seven.”

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