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

Chapter 155 It’s Over

Eric exhaled a long, weary sigh before reaching out to help Hadley up. With gentle fingers, he brushed away the tears clinging to her cheeks.

His gaze lingered on the curve of her rounded shoulders, his throat tightening

“Sit here for a minute. I’ll grab you some clothes.”

He rose to his feet and strode toward the walk–in closet.

After a brief moment, he stood inside and asked, “Which side of the closet holds your clothes?”

When he didn’t receive an answer, Eric reached for a familiar piece he had seen her wear before and stepped

out

Suddenly, he heard something fall onto the floor with a loud thud.

“Hadley!”

Eric’s pulse slammed against his ribs. He was at her side in a heartbeat, gathering her up in his arms.

A deep furrow creased his brow. “What just happened? How did you fall?”

A beat passed, and an unsettling thought seized him. He couldn’t bring himself to believe it. “Did you do that on purpose?”

Hadley neither looked at him nor answered.

But what else could it be? The truth was written all over her–she had done this to herself.

“Why did you jump out of bed?”

Eric’s temper flared, rising like a storm he could no longer contain. His hands tightened around her shoulders, his grip just shy of punishing

“For what? To chase after Denver?”

Hadley’s swollen, tear–streaked eyes wavered, her lips trembling as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

Eric was livid.

“Why are you still chasing after him? Have you forgotten that he is now with his mother?!”

Eric felt a deep frustration at her lack of self–respect. “His mother has done nothing but hurt you, and yet you are still holding on? Do you really think there is hope? Are you so naive to believe that love is just about two people?”

Wilma despised Hadley–there was no doubt about that. And if she had been capable of harming Hadley once, what was stopping her from doing it again?

20:41

“What about you?” Hadley lifted her tear–streaked face, her eyes burning with raw emotion. “What does any of this have to do with you? Why are you hurting me?”

“I…” Eric faltered, caught off guard.

“Speak!” Her voice cracked as she suddenly shouted at him. “I’m asking you a question!”

“Like I told you before. I want you!” Eric blurted out, his agitation spilling over: “I want you, Hadley!”

and he had forced himself to walk

he realized he couldn’t really let her go.

by the heavy silence that

Hadley’s expression twisted as if she had just heard the most absurd joke.

dried, yet a chuckle escaped her lips. “Ha–ha…”

stiffened. A strange unease crawled up

it obvious? It’s funny.”

blinked, pushing back the fresh sting in her eyes. “Tell me, Eric, what do you

want me?”

“I…”

the question catching him off guard.

about

gaze piercing. “What’s wrong? No

that…” Eric shook his head in frustration. “Why

Hadley didn’t look away. She met his stare head–on. “Let me

feelings for

spine went rigid, and a strange tingling crept up his scalp.

was that?

saying anything?” Hadley

“I…”

feelings for me, Eric,” Hadley cut in before he could scramble for an

her clear eyes sharp

are just like the law to you, aren’t they? For her, you would do

stunned. What was

he was doing this because Linda had asked him

true!” Eric blurted, eager to deny it and explain.

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155 It’s

voice dripped with scorn as she sneered. “You’re unbelievable, you know that? We have known each other for almost ten years, and you have hated me for nearly all of them. But now, for Linda’s sake, you suddenly want me?

“You…!”

his breath turning ragged with frustration. “Is this about

and

For a split second,

pulsed in his temple as he snapped, “Shut up!

take it

“No!”

entirely, indifferent to his thoughts. “Denver treats me well. He respects and cherishes me. No one has ever valued me this

loathing as if he were nothing more than an enemy.

hesitation, she used all her strength and slammed her forehead into his. Completely unprepared, Eric staggered back

Hadley let out a bitter laugh between quiet sobs.

Her phone was in

to the floor and began crawling toward the sofa, where her bag

rested.

Eric’s wary gaze

Hadley didn’t answer. She just dragged