Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 84 Rosebud Lips

“Nyla…”

Hadley’s face was blank, devoid of any emotion. She slowly shook her head. “I’m done with Eric.”

Nyla froze, a chill running through her.

She’d heard those words before.

The last time, Hadley had come to the sanatorium, saying the same thing–pleading for Nyla to support her decision to divorce.

Back then, Nyla had thought Hadley was holding back, burdened by things she couldn’t voice.

“Are you scared, Hadley?” Nyla asked softly. “Scared he’ll slip back into his old habits? That he’ll push you away again?”

She exhaled a soft, steady breath before adding, “It won’t happen. This time’s different. It’s not me asking for it–Eric’s the one making the choice. You know how he is. Once he’s set on something, nothing can sway him. If he promises something, you can count on him to follow through.”

Hadley believed that with every part of her.

When his brother had the accident, Eric had been there, unwavering by his hospital bed, swearing that from then on, Linda would be his responsibility.

And he had kept that vow, without fail.

But even so, Hadley couldn’t bring herself to agree. “That’s not my concern.”

“Then what is?”

Hadley managed a small, bitter smile. She’d already said this before, so all she could do was repeat herself again. “I just… I don’t love him anymore.”

Nyla was speechless, caught off guard for a moment.

If Hadley had only said it once or twice, Nyla might have written it off as pride or the fear of being hurt again.

But this time, there was no denying it.

Eric had made his position clear–he was retracting the divorce. If Hadley still cared for him, she’d have jumped at the chance to fix things, not shut him out completely.

“You…” Nyla hesitated, her words hanging in the air. “Hadley, are you really sure?”

“Yeah,” Hadley said, nodding firmly. “I’m sure.”

“How can you say that?” Nyla’s voice trembled with confusion. “You’ve loved him since you were fifteen.”

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Chapter 84 Rosebud Lips

Back then, all she ever talked about was Eric. The whole Flynn family knew how much she adored him.

a wistful smile crossing her face as she shook her head. “But Nyla, even the most intense love…

tightened, caught off guard.

“Looking back, I’m not even sure I ever loved him, not

out, her disbelief

to understand what love really meant,” Hadley whispered, her gaze distant. “You always talked about how you wanted me to be your granddaughter–in–law. I convinced myself that was

face drained of color.

wasn’t just rejecting Eric–she was erasing every trace of love she’d ever felt

for the right words. “Divorce is the only option for me. It’s the only choice that

was really no more

sighed, her shoulders slumping

loose strand of Hadley’s hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry. I may have spoken for him today, but that’s

blinked, caught off guard, her gaze fixed on Nyla in stunned

laughed softly, playfully pinching Hadley’s cheek. “I meant it. I want you to have a good life–a

felt a lump in her throat, her

you silly girl. What’s there to thank me

hand, exhaling quietly. “Why don’t you head to the kitchen? See if breakfast is ready.” “Alright.”

walked toward

Hadley was out of earshot, Nyla’s smile vanished. Her face shifted, hardening with resolve, and her voice dropped to a whisper. “You can

into the room. He had

speak to Hadley. But she’d only agreed to speak on his behalf once. After that, the rest

outcome was his to

glanced at her grandson. “Did you hear

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84 Rosebud Lips

Eric’s face remained unreadable, betraying

sigh. “Then it’s time to

Eric’s hands clenched into fists, his gaze

her grandson. “What do you mean you can’t? We agreed on this! You heard Hadley–she doesn’t want any part of it! You of all people should know that forced love

married Hadley against his own wishes once

how that turned out. Was it ever truly happy?

of the past darkened Eric’s expression, the mood shifting with a coldness

his hand with a pleading grip. “Please,

upset, Eric chuckled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Grandma, why are you so

he bear to hurt the woman he

to see her get hurt,” Nyla said with a relieved breath. “Hadley’s a fine woman. The more I get to know her, the more I like her.”

into the smallest of

was served, but while Eric came to the table,

seen Nyla?” Hadley asked, pushing a

of his coffee. “She wasn’t feeling well, so

flicker of doubt crossed her eyes.

Perhaps she was still feeling the effects of her recovery, or maybe she was simply exhausted from attending to her flowers.

unsure

“Um…”

speak, Eric reached across the table and held something up

“What?”