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 waist. He leaned in, his breath feather–light against her

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

Hadley went rigid.

wasn’t wrong

she didn’t dare

hand eased to her waist. “Let me handle the zipper for you, okay?”

as she gave a small nod. “Thank

things ended up

Nyla? Right now, the only person she could turn to

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

moment, coming up

face. “It’s right there! How

was genuine. “I’ve never worn a dress

“It’s… there…”

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

a split second, caught off

If anything, it was…

his hand to the zipper pull. “Here. Feel

“Yeah”

swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple shifting. His throat felt dry,

23.9%

Truly

the motion right.

“Yeah, got it.”

hurry up,” Hadley huffed. “Zip it

“Yeah, yeah.”

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

flawless back… unlike his

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

a sharp,

throbbed, a phantom ache settling deep in his muscles.

“Are you finished?”

back to reality. What was taking him

“All set.”

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

felt tight, heat creeping up

He looked away.

him, but he had already averted

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

silence between them grew heavier

to cut through the tension, she forced a laugh. “Well… how does

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

that? The question felt stupid now, hanging awkwardly between them.

Are you finished?”

outside the walk–in closet–a

the

the handle, a deep voice rolled through the

finally answered.

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

Adam’s apple dipping as he muttered under his breath, “Truly