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?

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“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!”

him down before, and he had forced himself to walk

couldn’t really let

swallowed by the heavy silence that settled

if she had just heard

yet a chuckle

you laughing?” Eric stiffened. A strange unease crawled up

it obvious? It’s

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

want me?”

“I…”

catching him off

never thought about that question before.

him, her gaze piercing. “What’s wrong? No

in frustration. “Why does there have to be a

look away. She met his stare head–on. “Let me put it another way, Eric. Do

for

a strange tingling crept up his scalp.

was that?

you saying anything?” Hadley continued.

“I…”

feelings for me, Eric,” Hadley cut in before

at him, her clear eyes sharp

the law to you, aren’t they? For her, you would

stunned. What was Hadley

was doing this because Linda had asked him to?

blurted, eager

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didn’t want to hear another word. Iter 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

“You…!”

his breath turning ragged with frustration. “Is this about

do!” Hadley lifted her chin, her voice firm and unshaken. “Denver is

strange numbness creeping into his chest. For a split

in his temple as he snapped, “Shut up! I don’t want to

couldn’t take

“No!”

and cherishes me. No one has ever valued me this much. I

shot him a glare filled with pure loathing as if he were nothing more

all her strength and slammed her forehead into his. Completely unprepared, Eric staggered back and collapsed onto the

it’s over now!” Hadley let out a bitter laugh between

was

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

rested.

are you doing?” Eric’s wary gaze followed her every movement.

didn’t answer. She just dragged herself