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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19:13

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Chapter 20 Walked To The Courthouse

With those harsh words, Eric ended the call.

voice echoed faintly against

stood, phone in hand, grappling

unmistakable–she had to make it,

the roads blocked and no movement in sight, Hadley realized

a rueful laugh. Surely, walking was preferable

grabbed her bag and stepped off the bus

her hand to shield her face, but

stopping, and

the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, hoping it would offer some

did little to shield

the hood clinging to her head

pain throbbed in her

a hand over it, pushing through

a thirty–minute slog, Hadley reached the

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

a traffic

road is closed

the situation, Hadley managed a strained smile and responded, “I understand, but it’s urgent. I promise to keep

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

“From Kingsbridge.”

His eyebrows climbed his forehead in astonishment. “You

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

“What about the father?”

responded, “It’s

and then sighed

through,” he

you so much,

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19:13

Walked

the barrier to

checked her phone for directions. It would be a long walk to the courthouse, at least two and

half hours away.

scanning for a

Hadley was set

his car, glancing at his watch repeatedly. The time had already advanced to

still

made him wait

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

“Hello.”

voice crackled with exasperation.

there soon. Just a little

let out a derisive

to hear what sort of

passed, and finally Hadley’s call broke

said, “I’m here! Where

Eric questioned, scanning the surroundings through

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