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

where do you think you’re running off to? One wrong step, and it might just slip

Hadley went rigid.

wasn’t wrong about

she didn’t

His hand eased to her waist. “Let me handle

falling as she gave a small

ended up like

Right now, the only person she could turn

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

for a moment, coming

face. “It’s right there!

was genuine. “I’ve

“It’s… there…”

quiet sigh, she reached back and guided his hand. The second their skin touched, a spark shot through her–a soft, buzzing warmth that sent

a split second, caught

unpleasant. If anything,

his reaction, guided his hand to

“Yeah”

apple shifting. His throat felt dry, almost scratchy, like he

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68 Truly Stunning

the motion right.

“Yeah, got it.”

Hadley huffed. “Zip it

“Yeah, yeah.”

the zipper upward. Yet, his gaze betrayed him, trailing the path of the closing fabric, lingering on

back… unlike his own…

eyes shut, but the darkness behind his

a sharp,

throbbed, a phantom ache

“Are you finished?”

impatient voice snapped him back to reality.

“All set.”

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

heat

He looked away.

face him, but he had already averted his gaze, his expression carefully

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

them grew heavier by the

she forced a laugh. “Well…

thrown. His gaze sharpened, studying her like he was seeing something

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

you finished?”

from outside the walk–in

lunged for the door. “Yeah, I’m done!”

brushed the handle, a deep voice rolled through the

had finally answered.

turn around. Instead, she picked up her pace

apple dipping as he muttered under his breath, “Truly stunning.