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.”

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

like this, where do you think you’re running off to? One wrong step, and

Hadley went rigid.

wasn’t wrong

didn’t dare move.

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

her gaze falling as she

had things ended up

only person she could turn

traced along her waist,

for a moment, coming up empty.

face. “It’s right there! How are you not

can’t see it” His confusion was genuine. “I’ve never

“It’s… there…”

getting through. With a quiet sigh, she reached back and guided his hand. The second their skin touched,

second, caught off

unpleasant. If anything, it

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

“Yeah”

hard, his Adam’s apple shifting. His throat felt dry, almost scratchy, like he

23.9%

Truly

the motion right.

“Yeah, got it.”

hurry up,” Hadley huffed. “Zip it already!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

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

a beautiful, flawless back… unlike his

behind his lids wasn’t empty. Blood–streaked memories surged

sharp, searing

throbbed, a phantom ache settling deep

“Are you finished?”

back to reality. What was taking

“All set.”

back to reality and zipped up the last inch. The zipper stopped

throat felt tight, heat creeping up his neck.

He looked away.

to face him, but he had already averted

something about the moment made her uneasy. She ran a hand

them grew

the tension, she forced a laugh. “Well… how does it

His gaze sharpened, studying her like he was seeing

say that? The question felt stupid

Are you

voice floated in from outside the walk–in closet–a much–needed lifeline.

Hadley practically lunged for the door. “Yeah,

the handle, a deep

finally answered.

picked up her pace and

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