Now that they had spoken about Joy, there didn’t seem to be anything else worth mentioning.

Eric stood slowly, his movements uncertain.

“It’s getting late. I should head out before I overstay.”

As he made his way to the door, Hadley stood as well, quietly preparing to walk him out.

Eric led the way, and Hadley followed behind without a word.

A few steps in, Eric came to a sudden stop and turned to face her.

His eyes dropped to meet hers. With clear hesitation, he asked, “Back when we were still married… did I treat you well?”

That question froze Hadley where she stood, her breath catching in her chest.

What kind of answer could she possibly give to that?

Their time as husband and wife hadn’t been kind to her.

Still, not every moment had been cruel—though by the time any goodness surfaced, the damage had already been done.

Even when he finally treated her well, Linda had always been a shadow between them.

Without saying a word, she kept her silence. That alone was enough for Eric to understand.

A flicker of regret passed through his eyes, and his lips curved into a faint, bitter smile.

“I get it.” He knew he had failed her.

That question never should’ve left his mouth.

In her eyes, whatever kindness he’d had belonged to someone else entirely.

His memory might’ve had gaps, but one truth stood clear—betrayal like that was the cruelest blow a husband could ever deliver.

With his jaw clenched and guilt pressing down on him, Eric muttered under his breath, “I’m sorry.”

The look on Hadley’s face shifted. She hadn’t expected that.

Throughout the night, he had apologized more times than she could count.

A small, unreadable smile touched her lips.

“That’s all in the past now,” she said, neither offering forgiveness nor placing blame.

Because in truth, it was already over.

Eric didn’t respond. Instead, a quiet sadness settled in his eyes like dusk creeping into an empty room.

A heaviness pulled at his chest, each breath more difficult than the last.

Breaking the silence, he finally spoke.

“Did I ever give you financial support?”

Hadley hesitated for a second before looking him in the eye.

“You did.”

“Was it enough?” Eric asked, voice firm but tentative.

“Did it cover what you needed?”

“More than enough.” Hadley saw the nervous tension in his face and felt something stir in her chest.

“I’m truly okay now. Life’s been kind to me.”

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