NovelOnlineChapter 530: "What's wrong?" Eric asked, his voice low and edged with concern. Reluctantly, he lowered her to the ground- but he didn't let go. His hands remained firm, anchoring her, holding her close.
Hadley leaned against him, breathing unevenly. Her gaze, however, was fixed on someone else.
Eric followed her line of sight. There, a short distance away standing in the snow, was Denver. The silver-gray luxury car behind him sat with its door wide open. Denver's posture was rigid, his limp more pronounced from the strain of the past few days. But his eyes weren't on Eric-they were locked onto Hadley.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Hadley, are you okay?" he mouthed.
Hadley's lips parted, quivering, tears welling up and threatening to spill. She knew exactly what he meant. Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she forced her own lips to move. "I'm fine. Go. Forget me." And just like that, she turned away. She didn't know if Denver understood, but she couldn't keep looking at him—every extra second her eyes lingered would only hurt him more.
"Eric." Hadley's fingers curled around his arm, her grip faint but urgent.
"I'm here," Eric said quickly, his voice steady despite the storm inside him.
"I'm so cold." At her words, Eric reacted instantly. Without hesitation, he shrugged off his coat and draped it around her, even though she was already wrapped in a blanket. Then he pulled her close, his warmth pressing into her.
"Just a few more steps," he murmured, his breath fanning over her forehead. "Once we're in the car, you'll be warm. Hang in there." His arms remained tight around her, shielding her from the cold as he guided her to his car.
Engines roared to life. One by one, the cars pulled away. Yet Denver remained frozen in place, motionless, watching Hadley disappear into the distance. He understood what she meant.
Hadley had said she was fine. Should he believe her? From the way Eric wrapped her in warmth, the way he treated her with such care-it had to be true. Denver told himself he should be happy for her.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmYet as the last traces of her car vanished from view, his gaze dropped to the snow beneath his feet. A whisper of defeat left his lips. "But what if I can't forget you?" Inside the car, Eric sat in silence, holding Hadley close. His mind replayed the moment outside—the look she had given Denver. She had never looked at him like that. Hadley... she still hadn't let go of Denver.
The heavy snowfall slowed traffic to a crawl. At an intersection, the car rolled to a stop. Ernest glanced out the window and caught sight of a familiar figure. Elissa was rushing toward the bus, weaving through the crowded stop, but just as she reached the doors a surge of passengers shoved past her. In the blink of an eye, the bus pulled away, leaving her behind. A second passed. Then another.
Ernest exhaled sharply. "Quentin, drive over there." "Yes, sir." Quentin maneuvered the car alongside the bus stop and rolled down his window. "Miss Holland, please get in. Mr. Flynn would like to give you a ride."
Elissa froze, then quickly shook her head. "Please tell him appreciate it, but no thanks!"
Quentin arched a brow. "I'm not your messenger, and I don't deliver m invitations "he said cooly, gesturing to to the backseat. "If you want to thank him, say it yourself."
Huh? Elissa blinked. Was that a demand? Did that mean she actually didn't have a choice? Quentin tapped the steering wheel impatiently.
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