Upon hearing the question, the words caught in his throat.

He didn’t know how to explain.

It wasn’t just about him. It involved Ernest.

And worse, it had something to do with Elissa.

Ernest had made it clear that Elissa shouldn’t know about this. If she ever found out that Ernest was the root cause of the accident years ago, would she still want to be with him?

Eric doubted it.

And so did Ernest.

Eric knew how close Hadley and Elissa were.

Telling Hadley would be no different from telling Elissa.

And if Elissa found out… it would devastate Ernest.

Fortunately, Eric had already deleted the photo Linda had sent him: Robin’s profile.

“Hadley,” Eric said softly, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you. It’s just… it involves Ernest, and it isn’t my place to say anything.”

He paused, then added more gently, “Can you let this one go? Please? All you need to know is that I’m completely devoted to you. Isn’t that enough?”

Completely devoted?

Hadley scoffed. “Who knows if that’s true?”

“It is.” Eric raised his chin and gestured toward the phone in her hand. “I’m not hiding anything of my own. Only my brother’s affairs. That phone’s in your hand. You can look at whatever you want.”

“You just said that so I won’t bother checking, didn’t you?” Hadley waved the phone slightly and smirked. “Well, too bad. Starting tonight, I’m confiscating this.”

With that, Hadley turned her back to him, and the phone screen lit up on her face.

L?tst chαpt?rs in lnovels.

“Okay,” Eric said, chuckling and nodding to himself. “Keep it with you. Once you’re done checking, just return it to me.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her opening a folder. “That one’s company files. You can look if you want, but you probably won’t understand much. Also, be careful not to delete anything by accident. It’s recoverable, but still a hassle.”

His incessant chatter droned on. Latest content published on Find~Novel.net

Indeed, nothing suspicious turned up. With a sigh, she tossed the phone onto the bedside table and closed her eyes.

“Sleeping already? Let’s sleep together then.” Eric slid under the covers, moved closer, and wrapped an arm around her.

Hadley’s body tensed at the contact.

Sensing her resistance, Eric whispered, “Hadley, are you still mad? Don’t be upset. And please… don’t worry so much, alright?”

“No…” Hadley shook her head, her brows knitted into a frown. Then, she pushed him away, slipped out of bed, and walked straight to the closet.

Eric sat up, confused. “Where are you going, Hadley?”

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