Eric’s hands clenched, knuckles whitening as if gripping the weight of her words. He leaned forward, urgency in his voice. “Tell me more, Hadley. I want to know everything.”

“There is nothing left to tell,” Hadley replied, shaking her head, her voice soft but firm. “Those four years were a grind, but you’ve heard the worst of it. That is all there is.”

The worst of it?

It was more than that; it was a relentless battle, a marathon of survival.

“Hadley,” Eric said, his voice low and reverent as he dropped to his knees, his posture rigid with humility.

For a man unaccustomed to such gestures, it was a profound act of sincerity.

Hadley blinked, momentarily startled, her breath catching at the sight. But she quickly steadied herself, letting the moment pass without interruption, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “You might not believe it, but when I came back to Srixby, I never imagined I would share all this with you one day.”

“I believe you,” Eric replied, nodding with conviction, his mind racing through memories of the past year.

Every detail about Hadley flickered vividly—her return to her hometown, her tireless work, her scrimping and saving, all for a simple dream—a good life with Joy.

And he had shattered that dream.

“It is my fault,” he admitted, his voice heavy with regret. “I’m the one who messed everything up.”

Hadley’s heart twinged, but she managed a wry smile, shaking her head. “Stand up, Eric. This is pointless.”

“Allow me to do this—I have to,” Eric insisted, remaining bowed, his voice steady but laced with pain.

“In your presence, I’m less than nothing. I don’t dare ask for forgiveness, I don’t deserve it. You should hate me, carry that grudge forever.”

Discover endless adventures on g alno vels ; con

Hadley froze, her breath hitching as tears traced silent paths down her cheeks. She turned away, unable to meet his gaze.

Upon hearing her soft sob, Eric’s hand instinctively reached out, only to halt mid-air, trembling.

He couldn’t touch her, not now, not ever again. Official source is Find★Novel.net

“Hadley,” Eric said, his voice cracking as he withdrew his hand, eyes stinging with unshed tears. “I came back today to honor your wishes.”

Hadley’s head snapped up, tears shimmering in her eyes. “You mean…”

“Yes,” Eric said, his nod heavy with resolve. “The wedding is off. We’re done.”

This was exactly what Hadley had put forward the other day!

All he did was echo her words.

As Eric spoke, a storm of anguish surged in his chest, raw, unbearable sorrow pressing down on every word.

But he had no choice.

Now that he knew the truth, how could he possibly ask her to stay and share a lifetime with him?

.

.

.