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…

thoughts flickering across her face.

snapped her

Marcus Jordan.

had. The son of basketball legend

brought him up. Because Marcus had fallen for Larsa Pippen. His father’s friend’s ex–wife. A woman sixteen years older, divorced, and a mother of

chatter. Even now, people still whispered about them, as if love needed permission.

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

opened her mouth, but the words tangled before they

what determines if they should be together. What really matters is whether

know this is one–sided right now. You don’t feel the same way, and that’s fine.” His tone was calm, free of expectation or demand. “But just so you know–1 helped you tonight because I wanted to. Not because I expect anything in return. I’d never twist it into some kind of bargaining

make him no different from Eric?

neck. He wasn’t usually one for long speeches, but this one? He meant every

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

hesitated. He was so frustratingly clear–headed,

to make him understand.

cruel, but I’m not Larsa. And this?” Her voice was quieter now, more measured. “This isn’t some grand, romantic story. Any effort you put into me

least I’ll know I tried.” His gaze was unwavering, steady with conviction. “If I don’t even h courage to fight for the girl I like, then I have no right to say I like her

the

smirk, he raised an eyebrow. “Besides… who’s to say how this

lunch break, Hadley made her way to the hospital–the same one where

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106 Smile

medication before.

been recommended by Colleen, which meant he was already somewhat familiar with her condition. He’d

soon as he saw her, he asked, “Are you

“No.”

since things had ended with Duran rather unexpectedly, she had barely touched the pills.

moment before motioning toward the chair. “Then what brings you

into the seat, her fingers curling in her lap. The thoughts that had been circling in her mind

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 sometimes… it still feels like I don’t have

“Go on.”

“Alright.”

it sounds like you’re making

you considered therapy? It could help. Maybe even

recovery.”

Therapy?

expense she couldn’t

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

unconvinced but not pushy. “If you ever change your mind, you know where to find

me.”

you very much, doctor. I appreciate

the midday sun bore down on her, and she lifted a hand to shield her

was, money wasn’t the only thing stopping her. Therapy meant peeling back layers of the past-

she refused to open.