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

Chapter 163 At Least, She’s His Now

As the car approached the dance studio, Hadley suddenly broke the silence. “Pull over up ahead. We need to

talk.”

“Alright.”

Eric flicked his gaze toward her, sensing the weight in her voice. Without hesitation, he nodded and steered the car to a gentle stop by the roadside. Shifting slightly in his seat, he studied her with cautious curiosity.

“What’s on your mind?”

Was she having second thoughts?

A flicker of doubt crossed Hadley’s face before she finally spoke. “You told your grandmother about us way too soon. That wasn’t the right call.”

Eric’s jaw tightened, his confidence faltering for a moment.

“Why not?” His voice was steady, but a hint of defensiveness crept in. “We’ve already made our choice, haven’t we? It’s only natural that our families would find out eventually.”

Hadley met his gaze, her expression firm. “That’s not necessarily how it works.”

Hadley’s lips curled into a faint smile, laced with a hint of mockery. “If you’d kept quiet, we might’ve broken up without her ever knowing.”

Broken up?

Eric’s stomach twisted. This was getting out of hand.

He inhaled sharply, forcing himself to stay composed. “Alright, maybe I jumped the gun. But can we not talk about breaking up when we’ve barely even started?”

Hadley arched a brow, almost amused by his reaction.

“But eventually… we’ll go our separate ways, won’t we?”

She really thought that?

Eric’s chest tightened, his mind reeling. Was that how people approached relationships now? Like an expiration date was already stamped on them? Wasn’t the whole point of being together to build toward something fasting–marriage, family, a future?

“No…” His voice came out quieter than he intended, confusion flickering in his eyes.

“Is that really how you see this? Just something temporary?”

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Chapter 163 At Least. She’s His Now

Hadley held his gare, unwavering.

“Yes. That’s exactly what I wanted to make clear. We can be together, but that’s it. No expectations. If it stops working, we walk away. Simple.”

Bal That easy?

Eric buffed a quiet laugh, though there was no humor in it. Unbelievable! They had barely begun, and she was already planning for the end.

Pushing down the irritation prickling at his skin, he asked, “And what if things do work out?”

almost scoffed at

ridiculous. Two people with their own pasts,

swallowed the words. Arguing wouldn’t change anything.

but firm. “We’re in this as equals, Eric. If one

way his grip on the steering wheel tightened. With a light shrug, she added, “Of course, if you lose interest first, you can

Eric’s voice came

steady himself, trying to hold onto something solid. “We’ve been through a failed marriage before–I get why you’re wary. But Hadley, what I told my grandmother today… I meant every word. I will treat

Hadley barely reacted.

all she offered, as if

air, she continued, “Look, we’re just seeing each other–nothing serious. If it stops working, we walk away. No mess,

sat frozen, blindsided.

he had been filled with anticipation, unable to sleep from

her to treat this relationship so lightly, like it

said, lips curving in something between disappointment and inevitability. “Fine. Let’s pretend this conversation

could step out, Eric leaned over, his hand

*Don’t go!”

faintest trace of her scent–something familiar, something he wasn’t ready to let

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At Least, She’s His Now

thoughts. He agreed? So he really was thinking the same way–just going

lips as she turned back to face him, extending her hand.

“Deal.”

Did she think this was some kind of business

laugh, shaking his head in exasperation.

hand, but instead of shaking it, he brought it to

skin.

he

didn’t trust him–not yet. But that was fine. Time would

now, at least, she was his.

after the performance wrapped up, it was no surprise to find Eric waiting outside

streetlights cast long shadows, and when he caught sight of Hadley stepping out, he

wave.

brows knitting together as she lifted

a nearby trash can,

like the smell,”

the last traces of nicotine from his system. “I

pulled open the car door.

intrigued. “Where are we going? You know I don’t eat this late.”

had to maintain her figure

hand on the roof of the car,

considered her options.

playing coy felt pointless. Besides, she preferred when things moved forward rather than idling in

seat. The drive was quiet, and soon, the urban glow faded, replaced by the open expanse

“We’re here.”

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to open the

in the view. Were they going

on,” he said

dock toward a sleek yacht bobbing under the moonlight. “They’re

spotted two familiar faces–Marshall and Barrie–already lounging on the