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

Chapter 68 Truly Stunning

Nyla clasped Hadley’s hand and pulled her up. “Since we’re already on the subject, this is the perfect moment.”

“Nyla, I-”

“You know I don’t take no for an answer! No excuses!”

With no way to argue, Hadley followed her upstairs.

Since the whole thing had been kept a secret, the dress was hidden away in Nyla’s room.

Nyla led Hadley into the walk–in closet and gestured toward a dress hanging neatly on a rack. The fabric rested beneath a protective garment bag, crisp and freshly pressed. “Go on, take a look. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Hadley gave a small nod. “It’s beautiful.”

Nyla gave Hadley a once–over, eyes sharp with scrutiny. “You’re tall, and your figure is incredible. This dress was made for you. Try it on.”

“Alright.”

Satisfied, Nyla stepped out of the walk–in closet and waited just outside.

“Mrs. Flynn.”

The housekeeper, Kira Delgado, approached, her expression tight with concern. “There’s an order that doesn’t sit right with me. Can you take a look?”

“Of course.” Without hesitation, Nyla followed her. With Linda unavailable, it was up to her to sort it out.

Not long after they left, Eric appeared upstairs.

He’d come home early on purpose, curious if there was anything he could help with. When he didn’t find Nyla or Hadley downstairs, he decided to check upstairs.

“Grandma, you in there?”

Eric knocked twice on Nyla’s door. When no one answered, he tried the handle. It wasn’t locked, so he eased it open and stepped inside.

In the walk–in closet, Hadley had slipped into the gown. It fit like it was made for her, hugging every curve perfectly–except for one issue.

The zipper was in the back, just out of reach. No matter how she twisted, she couldn’t grab it.

Growing impatient, she heard footsteps approaching and assumed it was Nyla. “Nyla, can you zip me up? I’ve been fighting with this thing forever.”

The footsteps hesitated.

Chapter 68 Truly Stunning

Then, they moved closer.

Hadley sensed someone behind her and turned her head slightly. “Could you-

The words caught in her throat. Her whole body tensed.

That wasn’t Nyla. It was Eric,

Her breath hitched.

A jolt of panic shot through her, and she instinctively tried to bolt.

“Stay still.”

steadying her

do you think you’re running off to? One

Hadley went rigid.

wasn’t wrong about

didn’t dare move.

lips. His hand eased to her waist. “Let me handle the zipper for

her gaze falling as she gave a small nod.

ended

Right now, the only person she could turn to was Eric.

along her waist,

for a moment, coming up

Hadley’s face. “It’s right there! How

it” His confusion was genuine. “I’ve never

“It’s… there…”

The second their skin touched, a spark shot through her–a soft, buzzing warmth that sent a

split second, caught

unpleasant. If anything, it

to the zipper pull. “Here. Feel it now?”

“Yeah”

throat felt dry, almost scratchy, like

23.9%

Truly Stunning

the motion right.

“Yeah, got it.”

Hadley huffed.

“Yeah, yeah.”

other tugged the zipper upward. Yet, his gaze betrayed him, trailing the path of the closing fabric, lingering on the soft, unbroken line

flawless back…

shut, but the darkness behind his lids wasn’t empty. Blood–streaked memories surged

a sharp,

ache settling deep in his

“Are you finished?”

snapped him back to reality. What was taking him so long?

“All set.”

snapped back to reality and zipped up the last inch. The zipper stopped just below her shoulder blades, leaving

heat creeping up his

He looked away.

he had already averted his

a hand through her hair, trying to shake the

them grew heavier by the

she forced

His gaze sharpened, studying her like he was

that? The

you finished?”

in from outside the walk–in closet–a

the door. “Yeah,

as her fingers brushed the handle, a deep voice rolled through

finally

but refused to turn around. Instead, she picked up her pace and slipped out the

dipping as