“Hadley?” Eric took a step back, clearly thrown off by her reaction. “So now I can’t even touch you?”

“That’s exactly right!”

Hadley’s breathing turned shallow and fast, fury shining in her eyes. She glared at him, her voice shaking but firm. “Don’t lay a hand on me. I told you not to touch me!”

Eric was stunned by the outburst. Get full chapters from FindN()vel.net

Lately, she had pulled away every time he reached for her. He used to think it was just a passing mood and believed she’d warm up again if he gave her space.

But she never did.

And things had only grown colder. The distance between them had stretched even further.

“No way!”

Frustration and anger broke through Eric’s restraint. Instead of letting go, he tightened his hold and pulled her close, locking her in his arms. “We’re supposed to get married. The invitations are already going out. Why can’t I even hold you anymore?”

He never realized just how close she was to breaking. That hug sent her past the edge.

With a shrill scream, Hadley grabbed the lamp from the nightstand and hurled it at Eric with all her strength.

“Hadley?!”

Eric moved fast, ducking out of the way just as the lamp flew past his head.

He lost his footing and crashed backward. Hadley, propelled by her anger, stumbled forward when the lamp left her hand.

Their eyes locked. In that split second, Eric saw a wild, desperate look in her bloodshot eyes.

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There was real danger in her eyes—a look that could only mean she wanted to hurt him.

Hadley fought him with every ounce of strength she had, like someone backed into a corner.

Suddenly, Eric’s mind flashed back to old wounds and dangerous nights.

He remembered Galant, when Cody cornered her. Then there was that investor dinner with Adonis, where Wayne crossed the line. And the night that sneaky reporter tailed her, the fear in her eyes unmistakable. She looked the same now—unyielding, wild, determined to defend herself no matter the cost.

“Go to hell!”

Hadley’s scream was piercing, snapping Eric out of his trance and slamming him into the present.

Reacting on instinct, he caught her arm as the lamp crashed to the floor, the sound echoing through the room.

Eric’s breathing turned ragged. His heart thundered in his chest. He tried not to picture the lamp smashing into his skull. One hit, and he might not have survived it—not with his health the way it was. Before he could collect his thoughts, something clamped tightly around his throat. It was Hadley.

Her fingers dug into his neck, squeezing with a grip far stronger than he thought possible.

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