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.

0.0%

19:13

O

<

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.

not yet met my little one. Here’s how adorable Joy

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

wiped the

I wish I could bring more, but these flowers are all I have right now. When things get better, bring you

stone was clean, she knelt

secure a good income, and keep joy healthy,” Hadley murmured,

whispered reassuringly, both to her grandmother and herself “You know I’m strong. There’s

eyes, which were rimmed red but no longer teary,

Grandma,” Hadley said, giving one last look at

and walked away.

hill, she noticed a

She quickly pulled out a mask

her, not giving her a second glance, yet her heart continued to race. It was

fists clenched tightly at her

their departing figures. The audacity of their presence

they here to disrupt the peace of this

fury if she

d her.

a fight, especially

wait them out

hour, the group

her disguise, Hadley resumed her ascent, brushing past

and looked

one

answered, quickly dismissing his lapse with

increased her pace, eager to return to her grandmother’s

23.0%

x4

19.13

O

<

The

to the simple bouquet Hadley had placed was

and whispered, “Gembong, the is from them, but don’t worry. We don’t want

aside but decided against it, not wanting

nearby.

Hadley took the bouquet from the cemetery and

through her as she walked

bus stop, it read eleven o’clock. She had ample

before meeting Eric.

the nearest bus stop a ten–minute walk away. As she walked, Hadley looked up, noticing the sky darkening quickly as heavy clouds gathered. “Looks like rain

fall as Hadley

to shield herself from the sudden downpour. She hadn’t thought to bring an umbrella, and the idea of soaking her clothes through

dashed towards the shelter

some

the time

seat, she settled in for the long ride from the cemetery in Kingsbridge back

leaned her head against the cool glass of the wife trying to ease

toll, and despite

fell asleep.

suddenly startled

was causing a delay outside. The driver had left his seat,