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.”

her waist. He leaned in,

dress like this, where do you think you’re running off to? One wrong step, and it might just slip right off. You know that, right?”

Hadley went rigid.

wasn’t wrong about

she didn’t dare

Eric’s lips. His hand eased to her waist. “Let me handle the zipper for you, okay?”

Hadley mumbled, her gaze falling as she gave a

ended up

now, the only person she could turn to was

traced along her waist, searching. “Where’s the zipper?”

searched for a moment, coming up

face. “It’s right there! How

can’t see it” His confusion was genuine. “I’ve never worn a dress before, you know.”

“It’s… there…”

The second their skin touched, a spark shot through her–a

for a split second, caught

If anything, it

his hand to

“Yeah”

shifting. His throat felt dry, almost scratchy, like

23.9%

68 Truly

the motion right.

“Yeah, got it.”

up,” Hadley huffed.

“Yeah, yeah.”

the zipper upward. Yet, his gaze betrayed him, trailing the path of the

a beautiful, flawless back… unlike

but the darkness behind his lids wasn’t empty. Blood–streaked

a sharp,

phantom ache settling deep in

“Are you finished?”

snapped him back to reality.

“All set.”

inch. The zipper stopped just below her shoulder blades, leaving the elegant curve of her back bare.

throat felt tight, heat

He looked away.

face him, but he had already averted his gaze,

made her uneasy. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to

silence between them grew heavier by

forced a laugh.

momentarily thrown. His gaze sharpened, studying her like

asking. Why did she even say that? The question felt stupid

you finished?”

floated in from outside the walk–in closet–a

for the door. “Yeah, I’m done!”

fingers brushed the handle, a deep voice rolled

finally

froze but refused to turn around. Instead, she picked up

Eric remained still, his Adam’s apple dipping as he