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.

yet met my little one. Here’s how adorable Joy

“You would’ve liked her. I know you

the

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

stone was clean, she knelt

please watch over us, help me to secure a good income, and keep joy healthy,” Hadley murmured, her voice choked with

reassuringly, both to her grandmother and herself

eyes, which were rimmed red but no longer

again soon, Grandma,” Hadley said, giving one last look

and walked away.

Hadley descended the hill, she noticed a group

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

not giving her a second glance, yet

fists clenched tightly

a fierce glare toward their departing figures.

they here to disrupt the peace of

imagined her grandmother’s fury if she

d her.

fists. She wasn’t in the mood for a fight, especially

decided to wait them out and let them leave

half an hour, the group finally began

her disguise, Hadley resumed her ascent, brushing past them

of the men, middle–aged and thoughtful, paused and looked back at Hadley as

staring at?” one

quickly dismissing his lapse

increased her pace, eager to return to her

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19 The People

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

She grasped it and whispered, “Gembong, the is from them, but don’t worry. We don’t want their offerings. I’ll

it aside but decided against it, not wanting to

nearby.

took the bouquet from the cemetery and disposed of it

relief surged through her as she walked away from

it read eleven o’clock. She had ample

before meeting Eric.

area, with 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 might be on the way,” Hadley thought, quickening her

as Hadley neared the bus

downpour. She hadn’t

pace, she dashed towards the shelter of

the stop offered some cover from

up by the time I

a seat, she settled in for the long ride from the

her head against the cool glass of

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

fell asleep.

suddenly startled Hadley

was causing a delay outside. The driver