“So you assumed we were a couple?”

Eric nodded again, too mortified to say a word.

Hadley let out a dry, ironic laugh. As the laugh left her lips, her eyes began to shimmer. Her slightly blurred gaze locked on Eric… He hadn’t even recognized Brady as her brother.

Her heartstrings coiled tighter and tighter, until the tension gave way to a dull, suffocating ache.

Hadley curled her fingers into her palms, nails cutting into her skin as she stared at him without blinking.

“Explain in detail, then—what makes it acceptable for Ernest, but somehow not for me?”

“It’s just…” Eric lowered his head, wishing the earth would swallow him whole. He never should’ve come early with Megan today. One thing led to another, and things had just spiraled out of control.

“It was all a huge misunderstanding. I’m sorry. I truly apologize…”

“I said explain in detail!” Hadley snapped, cutting through his mumbling.

“I don’t have the luxury of time with you, so when I ask, you’d better answer properly.”

“Okay…” Eric flinched at her sharp tone.

It was strange.

From the very beginning, Hadley had never treated him gently. And with each meeting, she only grew colder. Yet, for reasons he couldn’t explain, he never got mad—only nervous.

Now, being scolded like this, he gave in and spoke honestly.

“My brother, Ernest—he might have someone in his heart, but he’s still with you. It’s not right, but…” He faltered, shame heavy and raw.

“Even though we all talk about loyalty… still…”

At that point, he looked up, his gaze finally meeting Hadley’s with sincerity.

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“But that’s not what this is. Men and women are just different…”

The more he spoke, the more panicked he became.

“With Ernest’s power, wealth, and position—he could have any woman he wants. But if you ever betrayed him… he’d never let it slide.”

He thought he was protecting her, but now he realized just how wrong he’d been. Flushed with embarrassment, Eric rubbed his forehead.

“That’s just what I assumed. I misunderstood the situation… and I acted on impulse.”

His lips kept moving, more apologies tumbling out.

But Hadley stood motionless. Her mind buzzed, loud and numb. She couldn’t hear a single word. Enough. She had heard enough.

How could she not understand what was really going on here? She understood everything—every word, every implication—too clearly.

In that instant, her tears surged forward, uncontainable, ready to fall. She bit them back, but her eyes stung, burning as if they would burst.

Suddenly, Hadley raised a trembling hand and covered her eyes. Her mouth parted, breath short and ragged.

Seeing her like that, Eric felt a jolt of panic—she looked utterly unwell.

“Hadley?” he called out, abruptly halting his stream of apologies and reaching toward her.

“Are you okay? Are you not feeling well?”

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