“I’m sorry,” Eric said with genuine guilt.

“I’m always making you wait.”

“Why are you apologizing? There’s no need,” Megan said, puzzled.

“You’re busy with work and I totally understand. Do I seem like the unreasonable type?” She gave a soft smile.

“I’m your girlfriend—of course I should understand you.” Then she rubbed her stomach with a playful pout.

“Anyway, I’m starving. Can we go now?”

“Yes.” Eric nodded.

“What do you feel like eating?”

“How about French cuisine?”

“Alright,” he agreed without pause.

“Let’s head to Red Shell Bistro.”

“Okay!”

Eric bent to pick up her handbag from the sofa.

“Let’s go.”

Megan blinked in surprise—he was carrying her bag? Though Eric had acknowledged her as his girlfriend over the past five months, this was the first time he had done something so thoughtful.

Looking at him, Megan smiled, warmth rising in her chest.

“Why are you being so sweet today?”

Eric froze slightly, a pang of guilt pressing down on him. Was she hinting that he hadn’t been good enough to her before?

He thought it over. He hadn’t treated her badly, per se, but he hadn’t exactly treated her well either. Ever since losing his memory and being told Megan was his girlfriend, he had felt a strange emotional distance—unable to connect with her on a deeper level. Everything between them had felt polite, but hollow.

And suddenly—Hadley’s face flashed in his mind. A sharp pain pierced his chest.

Looking down at Megan, he spoke with quiet sincerity.

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“From now on, I’ll treat you well. If there’s ever anything I’m doing wrong—or anything you want me to do—just tell me. Directly.”

Eric’s voice carried a weight of finality, his expression resolute, as if he had mustered every ounce of courage within him. What was really going on with him?

Caught off guard, Megan’s thoughts raced. Had something transpired between Eric and Hadley during his brief absence a few days prior? Was he grappling with a hidden wound, one that cut deeper than he let on? Megan’s curiosity burned, yet she held her tongue, wary of prying into Eric’s guarded heart. Whatever Eric’s reasons were, his demeanor worked in her favor.

“Very well,” Megan said with a gentle smile, her nod warm and reassuring.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Hadley steered the car toward the Red Shell Bistro, the hum of the engine filling the quiet between her and Brady. As they arrived, Hadley’s gaze softened as she turned to Brady.

“Head inside on your own. I’ll be out here if you need me.”

“Got it,” Brady replied, his nod curt. He clenched his fists, steeling himself, and strode toward the private room.

At the door, he drew a steadying breath and rapped lightly.

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