Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 19 The People Visiting The Cemetery

“I’m not trying to delay this needlessly, Hadley protestad

Eric interjected, “We’re not wasting any more time

He was dearly not interested in exces. “We’re doing this today. I can’t keep setting aide offer commitments for this. My time is valuable.”

And with that, he ended the call abruptly

A wry smile appeared on Hadley’s face as she held her phone lightly

How could she make it more dear to him that she was not hanging on? Those days were long gone.

She exhaled deeply, resigning herself to the inevitable. “So it has to be today, she murmored

The task would not be simple, especially not today

She felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen, worse than usual.

Heading towards Kingsbridge Cemetery on the city’s west side, where her grandmother lay resting, Hadley braced herself against the discomfort.

The sky was a mix of clouds and weak sunshine.

The cemetery was located atop a hill. Despite the persistent pain, Hadley ascended slowly, duter ng a bouquet she had picked up on her way.

She finally reached her destination.

Hadley was drenched in sweat from the climb, wiping it off as she knelt before her grandmother’s grave.

Placing the bouquet gently in front of the engraved headstone, she managed a tender smile towards the image of her grandmother carved in the stone.

“Grandma, I’ve come to visit,” she murmured softly.

As she spoke, her voice broke slightly, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.

“I’m so sorry it took so long, Grandma. I haven’t been here in four years. The flights back were just too costly

for me.”

She had been doing somewhat better financially since meeting Colleen.

Still, it had been just enough to scrape by, and returning to Srixby had seemed impossible until the Flynn family intervened financially.

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Chapter 19 The People Visiting The Cemetery

Drawing a deep breath, Hadley continued, “Grandma, I’m staying for good this time. No one’s going to foros me out again. I’m here to stay in my city, and I’ll visit you more often. That’s a promise

Through her tears, she smiled, pulling out her wallet to reveal a photo in it.

little one. Here’s how adorable

photo. “You would’ve liked her. I know you would. Soon, I’ll make

wiped the headstone with a

flowers are all I have right now. When things get better, bring you something truly

clean, she knelt once more,

over us, help me to secure a good income, and keep joy healthy,” Hadley murmured,

both to her grandmother and herself “You know I’m strong. There’s no need to worry about

were rimmed red but no longer teary,

said, giving one last

and walked away.

Hadley descended the hill, she noticed a group

out a mask

a second glance, yet her heart continued

clenched tightly at her

sent a fierce glare toward their departing figures. The audacity of their presence

here to disrupt the peace of this

grandmother’s fury if

d her.

the mood for a fight, especially not when they outnumbered her and she was already feeling off

wait them out and let them leave on

the group finally began their

her ascent, brushing past

men, middle–aged and thoughtful, paused and looked back at Hadley as she moved

one of

answered, quickly dismissing his lapse with a forced chuckle.

pace, eager to return to her

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Chapter 19 The People Visiting The

Hadley had placed was a new one, larger and far

bouquet. She grasped it and whispered, “Gembong, the is from them,

against it, not wanting

nearby.

bouquet from the cemetery and

through her as

as she headed toward the bus stop, it read eleven o’clock.

before meeting Eric.

looked up, noticing the sky darkening quickly as heavy clouds gathered. “Looks like rain might be on the way,” Hadley thought, quickening

started to fall as

She hadn’t thought to

dashed towards the shelter of

the stop offered some cover

time

Hadley hurried aboard. Finding a seat, she settled in for the long ride

head against the

wake–up had taken its toll, and despite the discomfort, fatigue soon overtook her, and

fell asleep.

suddenly startled

was causing a delay