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

Chapter 106 Smile For Him

Since Denver stubbornly refused to go to the hospital, Hadley had no choice but to stop by the pharmacy, pick up some medicine, and tend to his injuries herself.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, still uneasy. “If you hurt something internally, it could be serious.”

“I’m fine,” Denver said to her with a grin–though with the bandage on the corner of his mouth, the expression looked more ridiculous than reassuring. He hesitated for a beat before adding, “I couldng beat Eric in a fight…. Does that make me useless?”

Hadley blinked, momentarily thrown off. Then–she laughed. Hard. “What kind of ridiculous logic is that?” she

teased, shaking her head. “Since when is fighting the measure of a great man?”

So… that wasn’t it?

Denver pressed his lips together, barely suppressing a chuckle. “Relax, I was just messing with you. No need to get philosophical.”

Hadley let out a soft sigh, but the weight in her chest remained. “I… I think I said too much back there without proper thinking. Denver, I…”

“I know-” Denver cut in before she could finish. “I know you don’t actually like me. And that’s okay–I never let myself believe otherwise.”

He met her gaze with quiet understanding, as if he had already made peace with the truth long before this

moment.

“But I do owe you an apology,” he continued. “I acted without your permission. That wasn’t my call to make. I hope you’re not upset.”

Upset? How could she be?

Hadley wasn’t the kind of person who accepted someone’s help only to turn around and blame them for it. That wasn’t who she was.

She shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “I’m not mad. I just…”

How was she supposed to explain something she barely understood herself?

“It’s alright.” Denver caught the hesitation in her voice but didn’t push. Instead, he added softly and with rare honesty, “I won’t pretend I did it just for you. I had my own reasons, too.”

Hadley blinked, momentarily thrown by his candor.

“Denver…” Her voice softened, almost hesitant. “I told you before… we’re not right for each other.”

“I remember you said that.” He spoke with a small smile, but there was curiosity in his eyes. “What I don’t understand is–why, exactly, are we not right for each other?”

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Wasn’t it obvious?

Hadley knew the answer all too well. Her tangled past. The weight of her mistakes. A failed marriage that still cast shadows. No powerful last name to protect her…

away, but Denver had already read the thoughts flickering across her face. “Hadley, have you ever heard

her

Marcus Jordan.

had. The son of basketball legend

for Larsa Pippen. His father’s friend’s ex–wife. A woman

when it surfaced–tabloids, speculation, endless chatter. Even now, people

smile was easy, unshaken. “Look at Marcus and Larsa. They didn’t let the idea of being a ‘perfect match‘ dictate their choices. So

words tangled before they could form.

what determines if they should be together. What really

was calm, free of expectation or demand. “But just so you know–1 helped you tonight because I wanted to. Not because

that make

rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn’t usually one for long

need my help, Hadley, and I’m happy to help you. Don’t push it away just because of my

hesitated. He was so frustratingly clear–headed,

she had to

Her voice was quieter now, more measured. “This isn’t some grand, romantic story. Any effort you put into me will go nowhere.”

His gaze was unwavering, steady with conviction. “If I don’t even h courage to fight for the girl I like, then I have

the

raised an eyebrow. “Besides… who’s to say how

Hadley made her way to the hospital–the same one where she’d

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Smile For

her medication

which meant he was already somewhat familiar with her condition. He’d always been patient,

soon as he saw her, he

“No.”

truth, since things had ended with Duran rather unexpectedly, she had

motioning toward

seat, her fingers curling in her lap. The thoughts that had

haven’t taken much of the medication lately… but I feel like my symptoms have eased. As long as I’m not faced with aggression, my reactions aren’t as severe. But

“Go on.”

“Alright.”

sounds like you’re making progress. Your body is learning

considered therapy? It could help. Maybe even lead to

recovery.”

Therapy?

treatment–an expense she couldn’t even

an easy smile. “That won’t be necessary, but I appreciate

pushy. “If you ever change your mind, you know where to find

me.”

very much, doctor. I appreciate it.”

the midday sun bore down on her, and

layers of the past- digging up

That was a door she refused to open. Not now.