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.

0.0%

19:18

|||

O

<

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.

you,” Hadley said, passing them off

his eyes toward Hadley, his voice softening before he

it,” Hadley replied, heading off to freshen up.

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

for a loop.

road pronto–she was already pushing it

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

out a quiet sigh but plopped

hand at the untouched breakfast spread–his portion -still sitting pretty on

“Dion de

in.”

Say what now?

was offering her food? Earlier, he had practically put up a

Eric clocked Hadley’s hesitation and read her mind

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

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

she figured it all boiled down

“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

“You’ve got nothing to feel bad about. I’ll

laid out an apology, and she still wasn’t

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

Hadley’s warm smile at Marshall, and it lit a fire in his chest.

26.4%

O

O

19.18

|||

O

<

32 What is Wrong

Eric spat out his words like

sure looked cozy grinning at Marshall earlier, huh? What’s the deal–are you into him now?”

completely

he even on

Eric wasn’t letting

blazed with fury, a wild

way out of 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 a divorcee with a rap sheet

without a word, her initial stun giving

twisted the knife. “Talk about reaching

Hadley’s whole frame locked up, shaking like a leaf caught in a storm.

exist? How had she ever

looked at Eric, her smile faint but sharp enough to cut glass.

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

a thick, suffocating silence in their

clenched tight, his glare turning icy and downright sinister as

he could blow his top, Hadley spun on her heel, snatched

out the door.

chiseled face darkened, his lips pressed into a thin, furious line. “I