Chapter 10 Unreasonable Favoritism
Hadley stiffened suddenly. She knew Eric was alluding to an incident from four years
earlier…
Indeed, in his perspective, she remained deeply flawed.
Hadley gave a small smile, and then gently pulled her arm back, quietly going along with what they wanted.
“I admit, it was my own carelessness.”
Nyla exhaled a worried sigh. “How could you be so careless? Introducing you is now a dilemma. It’s not merely about people misjudging my oversight. It also comes across as disrespectful. How do you plan to mingle with them now?”
She then addressed Eric. “Isn’t there a spare dress for her? This attire isn’t suitable.”
“Nyla.”
Before Eric could offer a solution, Hadley intervened with a reassuring smile. “It’s alright. If it complicates things, let’s skip the introductions.”
“What?” Nyla’s confusion was evident. “How can we overlook introductions at your own welcome home party?”
Not only Nyla, but Eric and Linda also gave Hadley bewildered looks, their expressions filled with curiosity.
Hadley paid no mind to their stares and offered Nyla a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. Your generosity in arranging this event is more than enough for me. The finer details aren’t important.”
“But…”
Hadley noticed Nyla’s lingering concern and reassured her further. “There will be other opportunities.”
That seemed to resolve the matter.
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Chapter 10 Unreasonable Favoritism
Nyla took Hadley’s hand gently and gave it a comforting pat. “I’m so sorry things unfold like this.”
“Please, there’s no need for apologies. I’m quite alright.”
As she withdrew her hand, Hadley insisted, “The guests shouldn’t be kept waiting Go ahead without me. I’m not quite dressed for the occasion.”
Nyla exhaled a resigned sigh, torn but accepting.
“Look after yourself, and let’s chat later.”
“Of course.”
“Nyla.” With a warm smile, Linda looped her arm through Nyla’s. “Don’t be upset. Now that Hadley’s here, she’ll have plenty of time to spend with you. Why don’t I accompany you this evening?”
“Linda.” With a chuckle, Nyla affectionately squeezed Linda’s hand. “I love you too. Both of you are like granddaughters to me.”
They shared a laugh and moved on.
Eric initially followed but paused after a few paces, turning to look back at Hadley.
He observed her retreating figure from afar.
Her silhouette appeared solitary, prompting a frown from Eric… Had he been too harsh?
“Eric?”
Linda realized he was lagging behind and turned to see him staring at Hadley from afar.
She bit her lip slightly. “Did my earlier words upset you?”
“No.” Eric reassured her as he met her gaze. “You were protecting Grandma from worry. You acted appropriately. Why would I hold that against you?”
Linda’s face lit up with relief. “I appreciate your understanding. Shall we?”
“Sure.”
Hadley found herself at a secluded table, surrounded by strangers. Not recognizing anyone suited her just fine–she preferred solitude anyway.
Yet, her expectations for a quiet evening were quickly dashed.
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Nyle took Hadley’s hand gearly and grow be a comforting par Tim so sorry things unfold
like this”
“Please, there’s no need to apologies. I’m quits alright”
As the withdrew her hand, Hadley inainted, “The gases shouldn’t be kept waiting, Go sheed without me. I’m not quite brassed for the occasion”
Nyls exhaled a resigned sigh, torn bout accepting
“Look after yourself, and let’s chat later
“Of course.”
“Nyla.” With a warm smile, Linda looped her arm through Nyla’s, “Don’t be upset. Now that Hadley’s here, she’ll have plenty of time to spend with you. Why don’t I accompany you this evening?”
“Linda” With a chuckle, Nyla affectionately squeezed Linda’s hand. I love you too. Both of you are like granddaughters to me.”
They shared a laugh and moved on.
Eric initially followed but paused after a few paces, turning to look back at Hadley.
He observed her retreating figure from afar.
Her silhouette appeared solitary, prompting a frown from Eric… Had he been too harsh?
“Eric?”
Linda realized he was lagging behind and turned to see him staring at Hadley from afar.
She bit her lip slightly. “Did my earlier words upset you?”
“No.” Eric reassured her as he met her gaze. “You were protecting Grandma from worry. You acted appropriately. Why would I hold that against you?”
Linda’s face lit up with relief. “I appreciate your understanding. Shall we?”
“Sure.”
Hadley found herself at a secluded table, surrounded by strangers. Not recognizing anyone suited her just fine–she preferred solitude anyway.
Yet, her expectations for a quiet evening were quickly dashed.
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Her tablemates whispered and glanced at her attire disapprovingly.
“Who is that?”
“Is it appropriate for someone dressed like that to be here?”
Hadley continued to eat, tuning out the murmurs. She hadn’t quite satisfied her appetite with the appetizers.
The soup was exceptionally tasty.
Setting her spoon aside, Hadley grasped the soup plate with both hands and savored a hearty sip.
“Unbelievable!”
“How rude!”
“We should leave.”
The women departed with looks of contempt.
After placing the plate back on the table, Hadley maintained a serene expression. The returning silence was a
welcome relief.
Abruptly, the chair beside her was drawn back. Did one of those girls have a change of mind and come back?
Glancing up in surprise, Hadley saw Eric positioning himself at the table, his hand resting on its surface as he
faced her.
Why had he come over? Did she do something to upset him again?
“Is there something you need?” Hadley inquired softly.
“No,” Eric replied, his expression tightening as he looked at her plate. It was piled with food, showcasing her strong appetite.
He recalled her previously more modest eating habits.
Eric was uncertain about his reasons for approaching her. Perhaps it was driven by a sense of guilt.
Though he wasn’t fond of Hadley, circumstances had changed. This event was meant to welcome her, organized by Nyla.
Yet, Hadley hadn’t even been introduced properly to their guests.
“Ahem.” Eric cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “This evening has certainly been eventful. Linda has only recently entered the entertainment industry. It’s been a challenging journey for her, so…”
His voice faded away.
Hadley grasped the situation. Was he attempting to make amends?
How interesting! Even in moments meant for apologies, Eric struggled to say the simple word “sorry” directly. What was the point of this conversation then?
With a slight smile, Hadley replied, “I’m aware. I overheard the discussions earlier.”
Her calm demeanor seemed to deepen Eric’s discomfort. He eventually pierced the awkward silence. “You aren’t upset, are you?”
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Chapter 11 kneemable faptism
A blink and a light dude escaped Hadley, finding his worry somewhat amusing
It appeared that audiret hostility was a trait bound by gender.
Why should she engage further? Their relationship was a thing of the past, after all.
Embracing this thought, Hadley offered a reassuring smile and a shake of her head. “No. You said it yourself,
Her composure remained intact
Eric saw no cause for concern. “As long as you’re aware.”
Realizing he lingered still, Hadley voiced her confusion. “Shouldn’t you be needed somewhere else?”
Was this her way of dismissing him?
Eric was taken aback. Could it really be that the same person who once could hardly stay away from him was now so distant?
“There’s no hurry.*
Yet, for reasons unclear to him, Eric found himself reluctant to depart.
He looked down at the table, took up a fork, and deftly transferred a piece of king crab onto her plate. “You always enjoyed this.”
Hadley was startled. He still remembered her favorites?
She quickly responded, “Thank you”
“You’re welcome. Savor it,” Eric said, lifting an eyebrow as he rose from his seat. “I should get back to Grandma and Linda now.”
With that, he turned and left.
Watching him walk away, Hadley couldn’t suppress a smirk. So, his attempt at making amends was to offer her a king crab, as though it were some lavish offering.
She scoffed and shook her head in disbelief.
Gently, she moved the crab to an empty plate with her fork.
It wasn’t a rejection of his effort.
Her fondness for king crab had faded; people changed.
The celebration itself was dull and challenging to endure.
Nonetheless, for Nyla’s benefit, Hadley remained until it concluded.
Observing Linda taking the place beside Eric, where Hadley herself should have stood and engaged their guests, she felt detached but accepting.
This detachment, Hadley reasoned, was her method of reciprocating Nyla’s five years of kindness.
As the final guest departed, the festivities drew to a close.
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Subsequently, Hadley was called to Nyla’s quarters.
“Hadley,” Nyla said, grasping her hand with a gentle sigh. “This evening was undoubtedly tough for you. Have you visited Ernest since your return?
The question caused Hadley to tense, and she shook her head in denial. “No, not yet.”
With another sigh, Nyla continued, “It’s been four years. Ernest once held you dear. You ought to see him, let
him know you’ve returned.”
“Certainly.” Hadley agreed with a nod.
Nyla’s actions bespoke a genuine familial warmth.
Observing the late hour, Nyla said, “It’s getting late. I won’t detain you further. You should head home and get
some rest.
“Alright, Nyla. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
When Hadley exited the room, she was taken aback to find Eric lingering outside.
He appeared to be waiting for her and immediately turned to speak as she emerged. “Let’s go.”
Hadley instinctively declined. “There’s no need…”
Wasn’t he supposed to depart with Linda? She preferred not to stir any drama. Enough had transpired for one
evening.
Eric’s patience thinned rapidly. “I brought you to this event, and I’ll ensure you don’t leave by yourself.
Moreover…
His eyes flicked back towards the room.
“Grandma would be displeased if she learned we left separately.”
He then grasped her wrist firmly. “Enough discussion. Now let’s go!”
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