Back then, she’d told herself he stayed silent because he didn’t really love her—at least not that much.

Now that the words had finally come, she wasn’t sure if they were real or if he was just trying to distract her.

“I’m sorry…” Eric’s voice cracked with guilt, sensing every thought racing through her head. Pain flickered across his face as he struggled to speak. “I won’t deny it—I did care about her once. But everything changed when I found out what she did to you. She made those four years abroad hell for you, and I stood by, blind. After that, I cut her off. I couldn’t forgive her… and I’ll never forgive myself.” His hands, rough and calloused, brushed gently along her cheeks with a tenderness that trembled with regret.

“I’ll make it right this time. Only you matter now…” Eric muttered the words again, voice raw. “I love you. I mean it. Please… just believe me.”

“Is that so?” Hadley’s eyes welled with tears, her gaze swimming with doubt. “Then show me.” She clutched his hand tightly, then turned toward Linda. “She’s a murderer, Eric. A cold-blooded one. I want justice—I want her to pay for what she’s done. Help me make that happen, please.”

“Hadley…” Eric’s voice dropped into a painful hush, eyes filled with sorrow. “This isn’t something I can decide. The law has to handle it. You have to trust me on that…”

“You’re not going to do it, are you?” The words slipped from Hadley’s lips like a final verdict. She wasn’t even looking at him anymore.

A deep breath filled her lungs, and she let it out in a slow, broken exhale. “You knew how she treated me. You knew what she did to Elissa. You knew all of it.” Her hand shot out, finger aimed at Linda. “You want me in your life, but you’re still protecting her? How does that make sense? She’s the killer—and if you shield her now, then you’re standing right beside her!”

Disappointment clouded her eyes as she lowered her gaze. “You say I’m the only one you love—but those are just words. They mean nothing now.” A bitter laugh tore from her throat as she leaned back, shoved him aside, and broke into a run.

“Hadley!” Eric staggered from the push but quickly regained his footing and rushed after her.

L?t?st ?hρt?rs ιn glov?ls.0

“Well, this is a show worth watching!” From behind, a shrill voice erupted like a crack of thunder. Linda’s laughter rang out, wild and triumphant, her battered face glowing with cruel delight. “Eric! This moment—this mess—is the sweetest gift you could have given me! Even if I die abroad tomorrow, I’ll die with a smile on my face!”

That sent a jolt through him. Eric slowly turned, his glare cutting through the air like a blade.

“You betrayed me!” Linda screamed, her tone shrill and cutting as she clenched the armrests. “You threw me away, so I’ll ruin what you love most! Hadley won’t ever love you again! You might have her by your side, but her heart? You’ll never own it! Not in this lifetime!”

Shock hit Eric like a blow, and for a moment he just stared—Linda’s words barely registering through the madness. Trying to reason with her now felt useless. She had unraveled too far to be reached.

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