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.

echoed faintly against the disconnect

phone in hand, grappling

message was unmistakable–she had to make

the roads blocked and no movement in sight, Hadley realized her only option was to set out on

rueful laugh. Surely,

grabbed her bag and stepped off the bus into the

to shield her face, but

stopping, and without an

Teeth clenched in determination, Hadley pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, hoping it would offer

little

the hood clinging to her head like a soaked

throbbed in

pushing through the

reached the area of the collapsed

blockades, firefighters amidst

there!” a traffic officer called out

road is closed

understand, but it’s urgent. I promise to keep out of the

over. “You’re soaked through.

“From Kingsbridge.”

eyebrows climbed his forehead in astonishment. “You walked

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

“What about the father?”

fluttered as she responded, “It’s just me.

and then sighed

he replied, gesturing her

you so

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19:13

20 Walked To

shifting the barrier to allow her passage before

a long walk to the

half hours away.

continued her walk, eyes scanning for a taxi ahead. The prospect of

set on ending

at his watch repeatedly. The time had already

still

made him wait

his phone in his palm before decisively

“Hello.”

crackled with exasperation.

Hadley replied. “I’ll be there soon. Just a little

a derisive laugh. “Alright,

was eager to hear what sort of excuse Hadley would concoct

Hadley’s call broke

heavily, she said, “I’m here! Where are

actually here?” Eric questioned, scanning the surroundings

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