Just as she reached the door, he grabbed her wrist.

“Hadley, can I ask something?”

Afraid she’d shake him off, he blurted, “The person I really like… it’s you, isn’t it?”

Hadley didn’t answer. Her eyes just locked onto his.

“I mean…” He frowned, rubbing his forehead.

“Was there some kind of misunderstanding? Did Linda do something that eventually led to our separation?”

Still nothing—but her gaze rippled with emotion.

“Right?” he asked again, though the answer now felt like a knife.

“So that’s what it was…”

“A misunderstanding?” Hadley echoed, her lips curling into a cold smile.

“What gives you the right to call it that? Just because you don’t remember doesn’t mean the past simply disappears.”

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she pointed to her

She pointed to her temple.

“You always favored her. You may have forgotten, but I haven’t—and I never will.”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, her gaze fixed on him like a curse.

“Mark my words—the woman you once shielded and cherished? I’ll never forgive her. Not in this lifetime.”

Their eyes locked.

In that moment, Eric saw it—the deep, smoldering hatred burning behind her stare.

“Do you… hate me?” he asked, his voice unsteady.

“Yes!” Her answer was swift, her tone unflinching.

“I do.”

She stared at him, fury blazing in her eyes. Grabbing his collar, she hissed, “Why do you think I never visited you after your surgery? Not even once? Why didn’t I tell you the truth after I found out about your memory loss?”

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Her voice cracked, jaw clenched.

“Because I hate you.”

Then she laughed again—sharp, mocking.

“And you? You conveniently forgot? I’m the only one left to remember? What’s the point of my hatred if you don’t even know what you did? Eric, could you be any more pathetic?”

And in that moment, Eric finally understood—her hatred came from pain. A pain he had caused and then forgotten.

“What should I do?” he asked softly, lowering his gaze.

“Tell me… how can I make it right?”

“Make it right?” she repeated with a hollow smile. Her voice wavered.

“That’s impossible. There’s nothing you can do now.”

She turned abruptly and slammed the door behind her.

“I…” The words caught in his throat. He stood there, outside her door, powerless.

Inside the room, Hadley lifted her trembling hands to cover her eyes.

She couldn’t hold back anymore—her composure shattered. The emotions she’d buried surged forward, desperate to be released.

It had been their story—his and hers—but he’d forgotten, leaving her alone with all the pain… with nowhere left to place her hatred.

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