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.”

around her wrist, his other hand steadying her waist. He leaned in, his breath

a 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,

Hadley went rigid.

wasn’t wrong about it.

didn’t dare move.

eased to her waist. “Let me handle the zipper for you,

mumbled, her gaze falling as she gave a small nod. “Thank

things ended up

person

see.” Eric’s fingers traced along her waist, searching. “Where’s the

a moment, coming up

rushed to Hadley’s face. “It’s right there! How are you

it” His confusion was genuine.

“It’s… there…”

trailed off. Words weren’t getting through. With a quiet sigh, she reached back and guided his hand. The second their skin touched,

split second, caught

unpleasant. If anything, it

to the zipper pull.

“Yeah”

his Adam’s apple shifting. His throat felt

23.9%

Truly

the motion right.

“Yeah, got it.”

huffed. “Zip it already!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Yet, his gaze betrayed him, trailing the path of the

beautiful, flawless back… unlike his

his eyes shut, but the darkness behind his lids

chaos, a sharp, searing

phantom ache settling deep in his

“Are you finished?”

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

“All set.”

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

throat felt tight, heat

He looked away.

had already averted his gaze, his expression carefully

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

them grew

to cut through the tension, she forced

blinked, momentarily thrown. His gaze sharpened, studying her like he was

that? The question felt stupid

you

floated in from outside the walk–in closet–a

for the

a deep voice rolled through the quiet. “It’s stunning.”

finally answered.

to turn around. Instead, she picked up her pace and

his Adam’s apple dipping as