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.

caregiver darted over to Hadley, all chipper. “Let

them

voice softening before he could

heading off to freshen up.

back, Eric jerked his chin at the chair across from him.

blinked, thrown for a loop. “What’s up? You need

already pushing it to get back to Galant for rehearsal.

I say sit,” Eric snapped, his brow creasing. Patience wasn’t exactly his forte. “What is the big deal? The chair is not gonna eat you. Sit

let out a quiet sigh but plopped down anyway.

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

“Dion de

in.”

Say what now?

froze, wondering if her ears were playing tricks on her. Eric was offering her food? Earlier, he had practically put up a “no Hadley allowed”

clocked Hadley’s hesitation and read her

hard, practically choking on the words. “Look, earlier? That was me

had to be dreaming. In all the time she had

it all boiled down

voice came out soft as a whisper, “No need to say sorry to me. I get it–you’re not 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

nodding at the table. “You’ve got nothing to

out an apology, and she

down whatever Marshall shoves your

mind flashed back to Hadley’s warm smile at Marshall, and it lit a fire in

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What is Wrong With Him

his eyes, Eric spat out his

Marshall earlier, huh? What’s the deal–are

completely

he even on about?

wasn’t

blazed with fury, a wild tempest churning beneath the surface.

the fact that everyone in this town knows your name for all

her initial stun giving way

twisted the knife. “Talk

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

could someone this nasty even exist? How had she ever

at Eric, her smile faint but sharp

I’m swinging way out of my league! But you? Can you sink any lower than lusting after your own brother’s woman? Is there a soul in Srixby who hasn’t

bomb, leaving a thick, suffocating

fists clenched tight, his glare turning icy and

his top, Hadley spun on her heel, snatched her backpack off the couch, and hightailed it

out the door.

darkened, his lips pressed into a thin,