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.

you’ve not yet met my little one. Here’s how

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

the headstone

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

clean, she knelt once

to secure a good income, and keep

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

eyes, which were rimmed red but no longer teary,

Grandma,” Hadley said, giving one last look at her grandmother’s

and walked away.

the hill, she

pulled out a mask from her bag

her, not giving her a second glance, yet her heart

clenched tightly at

a fierce glare toward their departing figures.

here to disrupt

grandmother’s fury

d her.

fists. She wasn’t in the mood for a fight, especially not when they outnumbered her and she

to wait them out and

hour, the group finally began their

her disguise, Hadley resumed her ascent, brushing

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

staring at?” one of

quickly dismissing his lapse with a forced chuckle.

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

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Chapter 19 The People Visiting The

bouquet Hadley had placed was a new one, larger

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

aside but decided against it, not wanting

nearby.

Hadley took the bouquet from the cemetery

sense of relief surged through her as she walked away

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

before meeting Eric.

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

as Hadley

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

towards the

stop offered some

it’ll let up by the time I

the bus arrived, Hadley hurried aboard. Finding a seat, she settled in for the long ride from the cemetery in Kingsbridge back

her stomach persisted, so she leaned her head against the cool glass of the wife trying

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

fell asleep.

suddenly startled Hadley

trying to see what was causing