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

Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Walked To The

Courthouse

The call went unanswered, leaving Hadley hanging.

Worry etched her face as she speculated that Eric was likely caught up in a work–related lunch or meeting.

What were her options?

All she could do was wait.

As the minutes ticked away, it was suddenly two–thirty. Only thirty minutes remained until her appointment

with Eric.

Her phone buzzed abruptly–it was Eric.

“Hello?” she answered quickly, her voice edged with stress.

“You were trying to get in touch?” Eric’s voice carried a lightness, perhaps from the anticipation of finally resolving their ties. Apologizing for his earlier unavailability, he said, “Got tied up, sorry.”

Then he quickly changed the subject. “Are you at the courthouse already? Just wait there, I’m on my way.”

Interrupting him, a rush of guilt in her tone, Hadley exclaimed, “Eric!”

Hadley stammered, “I’m really sorry, but I can’t make it today… Can we reschedule for tomorrow? Just one day delay. I promise I’ll be there, on time!”

Eric was silent initially.

Then, with a cutting laugh, he let his irritation show. “You’re still playing games, Hadley? How long do you intend to keep this up?”

“It’s not like that…”

His tone became biting, dismissing her explanation. “From day one, my feelings about you haven’t changed, Hadley. Wake up.

“I truly can’t make it,” Hadley insisted, feeling the futility of the conversation. “Something’s come up. I’m stuck, really stuck, not far from Kingsbridge. It’s a mess here, and it’s not just me caught in it.”

What was she doing in Kingsbridge anyways? It sounded like just another excuse.

“Really? That’s just perfect,” Eric scoffed, disbelieving every word from Hadley.

He was unmoved by her predicament. “I’m not interested in where you’re stuck. You’d better be on your way. even if it means crawling here. We’re finalizing this divorce today, no more delays!”

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Chapter 20 Walked To The Courthouse

With those harsh words, Eric ended the call.

faintly

phone in hand, grappling with

message was unmistakable–she had to make it,

roads blocked and no movement in sight, Hadley realized her

let out a rueful laugh. Surely, walking

her bag and stepped off the bus into the cold embrace of

shield her face, but it was

signs of stopping, and without an umbrella,

there to do but walk? Teeth clenched in determination, Hadley pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head,

little to

quickly drenched her, the hood clinging to her

throbbed in

it, pushing

the area of the collapsed overpass, completely

was chaotic: police blockades, firefighters amidst debris, and a

a traffic officer called out to

road is closed for clearing

promise to keep out of the way and not cause any trouble. I just need to

officer looked her over. “You’re soaked through. Where did you trek

“From Kingsbridge.”

His eyebrows climbed his forehead in astonishment. “You walked that whole

Hadley answered, clasping her hands in earnest. “It’s urgent, officer. My child’s at home alone,

“What about the father?”

“It’s just me. I’m doing

and then

he

so

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19:13

Walked

barrier to allow her passage before swiftly closing

phone for directions. It would be a long walk to the courthouse, at

half hours away.

eyes scanning for a taxi ahead. The prospect of paying

set on ending her marriage to

was in his car, glancing at his watch repeatedly. The time had already

was still nowhere in

had made him wait

spun his phone in his palm before decisively pressing the screen to dial her

“Hello.”

voice crackled with

“I’ll be there soon. Just a

a derisive laugh. “Alright, I’ll

hear what sort of excuse

Hadley’s

said, “I’m here! Where

actually here?” Eric questioned,

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