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

Chapter 45 Are They Still Together Now

“What the hell is that?”

A slick, unpleasant sensation clung to the bottom of Eric’s shoe, sending a shudder up his spine.

He aimed his phone’s flashlight downward, only to find that he had stepped on something soft–and clearly edible.

Disgust twisted his expression as he yanked his foot back.

Irritated, he stomped twice, shaking off the remnants, and then strode forward, his patience already wearing

thin.

Behind him, Hadley threw the door wide open.

She just realized that, without meaning to, she might have dropped her pumpkin soup earlier when she was startled by Eric’s presence at her doorstep.

Turning on her phone’s flashlight, she scanned the area, sweeping the beam across the hallway until she spotted it in the corner. But the sight made her stomach drop–the bowl lay shattered, with soup splattered messily across the floor.

Hadley released a slow, disappointed breath. “It’s completely ruined,” she muttered under her breath.

Without hesitation, she turned away, reached for a mop, and set to work. It only made sense that she should

be the one to clean up the mess.

Still, she didn’t dwell on the spilled soup for long.

By the next morning, she had put it out of her mind and arrived at the address Elvin had sent, stepping in right on time alongside a small group of other dance stand–ins.

What she hadn’t expected was to see Adonis there as well, standing next to the choreographer.

“I’ll make this quick,” he said, his tone brisk. “The choreographer and I have already discussed what I want to

present. Every routine they’ve designed needs to be drilled until it’s flawless. When the cameras roll, I don’t want a single pause.”

Adonis had built his reputation on filming scenes in a single, continuous take, demanding that his actors,

actresses, and even background dancers perform with the precision and stamina of a Broadway production.

“Yes, sir,” the girls replied in unison.

Hadley gave herself a silent pep talk.

She wasn’t nervous. As a dancer, her job was to execute every move with precision, and she was more than

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Chapter 45 Are They Still Together Now

ready for it.

Rajab’s Family My Boys is Going to Pakistan Rajab is totally Alone now

From morning until well past midday, Hadley and the other girls pushed themselves to their limits under the choreographer’s watchful eye, sweating through every grueling sequence.

Adonis‘ expectations were nothing short of relentless. And this was just for the opening number–or so they’d

been told.

By the time the choreographer finally clapped his hands and dismissed them, the clock had already passed two

in the afternoon.

keep practicing when you get home. You all know exactly what Mr.

“We will.”

“Alright.”

a hand to her stomach as it let out

lunches earlier, but after dancing for hours on end, the energy from that meal had

since burned away. Now she had a decision to make–grab a burger nearby

economical–felt exhausting. She needed food immediately.

fast–food place nearby, she grabbed a burger, unwrapped

walking.

suddenly called out to

Hadley lifted her

a short distance away, watching her with an expression that made it seem like he thought she might disappear

“Hadley!”

taking a few steps closer, the man’s face

really you! You’ve grown so much–I barely recognized you…” His voice faded, the rest of his sentence left hanging in

in her voice. “Look, could you move? You’re in my way.”

thrown off by her response. “Hadley, don’t you

her tone indifferent. “Are

brief moment, he couldn’t tell if she had truly forgotten him or if

exact. You’ve changed a lot, but I haven’t. If you just

no idea what you’re

conversation. “I don’t know you.

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waiting for a response, she stepped around him, ready to put the encounter behind

“Hadley!”

reached for her and grabbed her arm. “Wait–just listen for a

his hand closed around her wrist, something deep inside Hadley snapped, like a trigger being pulled

“Ah!”

against his grip, her breathing turning

“Is something wrong?”

her, confusion written all over his face. He didn’t understand why she was reacting as if he were some kind

trying to hurt you! I just—”

touch

shook her head frantically, terror flashing in her eyes, but no matter how hard she pulled away, she couldn’t break

tightened. “Hadley, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”

your hands off her!”

situation could spiral any further,

It was Eric.

casting a golden glow that

man’s wrist. As he moved, the crisp white cuff of his shirt slipped into view, revealing a

like this, there was an effortless smoothness to the way

in a whisper, barely believing

“I’m here.”

words were barely audible,

was something in her tone–a quiet, unspoken reliance on him–that

the man gripping

said let go. Are you deaf?”

“You…”

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45 Are They Still Together Now

seemed to recognize him. His grip loosened instantly, his face shifting from confusion

a sharp, unimpressed

touch was beneath him. “So you know who I am.

another glance.

color, her body trembling, her lips