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.

over to Hadley, all chipper. “Let me snag those for

said, passing them off with

Hadley, his voice softening before he could catch himself. “Go scrub

it,” Hadley replied, heading off to freshen

chin at

for a loop. “What’s up?

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

Eric snapped, his brow creasing. Patience wasn’t exactly his forte. “What is the big deal?

let out a quiet sigh but plopped down

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?

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” sign around

Hadley’s hesitation and read her mind

“Look, earlier? That was me being a jerk. I’m sorry.”

Eric, of all people, apologizing? She had to be dreaming. In all the time she had known him, this was a unicorn moment.

figured it all

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.

a small smile, nodding at the table. “You’ve got nothing to feel bad

had laid out an apology, and she

to subzero. “Oh, so you’ll scarf down whatever Marshall shoves your way, but when I offer something,

warm smile

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What is Wrong With

Eric spat out his

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

completely

he even

Eric wasn’t

wild tempest

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

without a word, her initial stun giving way as the color bled from her cheeks.

twisted the knife. “Talk about reaching for the

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

could someone this nasty even exist? How had

looked at Eric, her smile faint but sharp enough

own brother’s woman? Is there a soul in Srixby who hasn’t heard about that dirty

a thick, suffocating silence in their wake.

turning icy and downright sinister as

on her heel, snatched her backpack off the

out the door.

pressed into a thin, furious line. “I shouldn’t have even bothered with