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

Chapter 32 What is Wrong

With Him

Hadley fetched a basin of water, pushed up her sleeves, and dove into wiping down Myla’s body with all the care in the world, taking her sweet time. She swapped out Hyla’s old clothes for fresh ones, her hands moving soft and steady, like she was handling something precious.

Meanwhile, Marshall and Eric were parked across from each other, shooting the breeze,

Marshall tipped his head toward the inner room where Hadley was busy, “She is not the same girl she used to be, huh?”

“Not the same girl?” Eric muttered, a flicker of irritation sparking inside him. “You’ve barely crossed paths with her since she returned. What makes you think you’ve got her all figured out?”

Marshall clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes. “You don’t need a decade to spot it. The way she car: herself, that look in her eyes–it’s like night and day now.”

His voice had a warm edge, like he was tipping his hat to her.

Eric wasn’t having it, his lips twisting into a smirk. “Old habits cling like burrs. It’s all a front, I’m telling you!”

“A front?” Marshall raised a brow, clearly not sold. “What has she got to prove to you or me? Look, I get it-

you’ve never been her biggest fan–but didn’t you both sign the divorce papers already?”

His tone cut right through Eric’s grumbling, sharp and knowing.

He nodded toward the room again before continuing, “Check out how she is tending to Nyla. Cut her some slack, man. Just treat her like family–like a sister or something.”

Eric let out a dry huff. “Since when did you turn into a chatterbox? You came to see my grandma but barely lifted a finger. Finish your grub and hit the road!”

“I refuse to,” Marshall jokingly replied. “I promise to save my meal for Hadley…”

“Enough!” Eric let out a half–amused, half–fed–up chuckle. “She is my sister now, isn’t she? Don’t worry, I’ve got this–now scram!”

“Fair enough,” Marshall said with a shrug.

He wolfed down the last of his breakfast in a couple of hasty bites. “I’ll hit the road then.”

“Sweet,” Eric replied, tossing him a casual nod. “I’ll be a tad late, though.”

The two had been teaming up on a project and originally planned to head out together after Marshall swung by to see Nyla.

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But life threw a curveball, and Eric had to hang back a little longer.

Soon after Marshall bolted, Hadley slipped out of the inner room. She had just finished sprucing up Nyla- cleaned her up, got her into some fresh clothes–and was clutching a bundle of dirty clothes.

Hadley, all chipper. “Let me snag those for

passing them off with a

flicked his eyes toward Hadley, his voice softening before he could catch

heading off to freshen

came back, Eric jerked his chin at the chair across from him. “Sit down.”

blinked, thrown for a loop. “What’s

not, she had to hit the road pronto–she was already pushing it

sit when I say sit,” Eric snapped, his brow creasing. Patience wasn’t exactly his forte. “What

let out a quiet sigh but

Eric’s lips, smug as can be. He waved a hand at the untouched breakfast spread–his portion -still sitting

“Dion de

in.”

Say what now?

ears were playing tricks on her. Eric was offering her food? Earlier, he had practically put up a “no Hadley allowed” sign around the grub.

read her mind like

practically choking on the words. “Look, earlier? That was me being a jerk. I’m sorry.”

be dreaming. In all the time she had known him, this was a unicorn

she figured it all boiled

exactly my cheerleader, maybe even can’t stand the sight of me. It’s only natural you’d rather not bump into someone who rubs you the wrong way. But I’m here for Nyla, not you. I’ll be more careful and make sure to steer clear of your radar from

the table. “You’ve got nothing

laid out an apology, and she

tone dropping to subzero. “Oh, so you’ll scarf down whatever Marshall shoves your

Hadley’s warm smile at Marshall, and it

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is Wrong With

his eyes, Eric spat out his words

huh? What’s the deal–are you into him now?”

completely

was he even on

Eric wasn’t letting up.

fury, a wild tempest churning beneath

your league–don’t even think about it! Setting aside the fact that everyone in this town knows your name for all the wrong reasons, you’re

it all in without a word, her initial stun giving way as the color bled from

twisted the knife. “Talk about reaching for

instant, Hadley’s whole frame locked up, shaking like a leaf

this nasty even exist? How had she ever fallen for a

at Eric, her smile faint but sharp enough

own brother’s woman? Is there a soul

dropped like a bomb, leaving a thick,

glare turning icy and downright sinister as it swallowed Hadley whole. “Hadley!”

her heel, snatched her backpack off the couch, and hightailed

out the door.

his lips pressed into a thin, furious