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.

would’ve liked her. I know you would.

the headstone

are all I have right

knelt once

to secure a good income, and keep joy healthy,”

be okay,” she whispered reassuringly, both to her grandmother and herself “You know I’m strong. There’s no need to worry about

rimmed red but no longer teary, she murmured a

one last look at her

and walked away.

descended the hill,

heart skipped a beat. She quickly pulled out a mask from her bag and

group moved past her, not giving her a second glance, yet her heart continued to race. It

fists clenched tightly at her

their departing figures.

here to disrupt

fury if she

d her.

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

wait them out and let

hour, the group

her

middle–aged and thoughtful, paused and looked back

at?” one of his companions

lapse

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

23.0%

x4

19.13

O

<

19 The People Visiting The

the simple bouquet Hadley had placed was a new one, larger and far

narrowing at the lavish bouquet. She grasped it and whispered, “Gembong, the is from them, but don’t

contemplated just throwing it aside but decided against it, not wanting to show Osterfect

nearby.

the bouquet from the cemetery and disposed of

surged through her as she walked

watch as she headed toward the bus stop, it read eleven o’clock. She had ample time to

before meeting Eric.

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

to fall as

to shield herself from the sudden downpour. She hadn’t thought to bring an umbrella, and the idea

up her pace, she dashed towards the shelter of the

some cover

let up by the time I board

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

dull pain in her stomach persisted, so she leaned her head

morning wake–up had taken its toll, and despite the

fell asleep.

suddenly

chaos, with passengers standing and trying to see what was causing a delay outside. The driver had left his