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, his

running off to? One wrong step, and it might just slip right off. You know

Hadley went rigid.

wrong about it.

she didn’t

His hand eased to her waist.

her gaze falling as she gave

ended up

person she could turn to

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

a moment, coming up empty.

face. “It’s right there! How

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

“It’s… there…”

getting through. With a 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 shiver

caught off guard by the unexpected

anything, it was…

to the zipper pull. “Here. Feel it

“Yeah”

his Adam’s apple shifting. His throat felt dry, almost scratchy, like he couldn’t quite

23.9%

Truly Stunning

the motion right.

“Yeah, got it.”

hurry up,” Hadley huffed. “Zip it

“Yeah, yeah.”

his gaze betrayed him, trailing the

back… unlike his own…

shut, but the darkness behind his lids

sharp, searing

phantom ache settling deep in

“Are you finished?”

to reality. What was taking

“All set.”

up the last inch. The zipper stopped

tight, heat

He looked away.

turned to face him, but he had already averted his gaze, his expression

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

between them grew heavier by

forced a laugh. “Well… how does

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

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

you

voice floated in from outside the walk–in

practically lunged for the

fingers brushed the handle, a deep voice rolled through

had finally answered.

to turn around. Instead, she picked up

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