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

hapter 176 She Had Been

All Alone

The car was steeped in silence.

Eric’s gaze dropped to the woman in his arms. Hadley’s eyes were tightly shut, her face turned away as if refusing to acknowledge him. But the redness at the corners of her eyes–still damp with unshed tears- betrayed her.

Was it just a physical reaction? Or… was she crying for someone else?

The thought sent a chill through him, and his expression darkened.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said, his voice devoid of warmth.

Releasing her, he stepped out first, walking around to the passenger side before gathering her into his arms. The moment he lifted her, he felt the faintest tremor run through her body.

Eric’s frown deepened. “What’s wrong?”

Hadley shook her head, silent.

She didn’t have to say it–he already knew. He had lost control earlier, had let his emotions override his restraint. He had been too rough. Did he hurt her?

His arms tightened around her as his pace quickened, carrying her from the garage straight into the house. Entering the master bedroom, he gently laid her down on the bed.

Reaching out, he brushed aside her disheveled hair, but–Hadley turned her face away, avoiding his touch.

Eric froze. His hand hovered for a moment before he withdrew it.

Finally, his voice broke through, quieter this time. “Rest. I’ll run you a bath.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode toward the bathroom.

The moment she heard the water start running, Hadley’s eyes snapped open. A mist of unshed tears blurred her vision, leaving her gaze red and puffy.

Afraid he might come back at any second, she threw off the covers, slipped out of bed, and rushed straight for

the door.

By the time Eric returned, a fresh set of pajamas in hand, he was completely unaware of what had just happened.

“Hadley, the bath is-

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Chapter 176 She Had Been All Alone

He sat down at the edge of the bed, reaching to pull back the blanket. But the moment his hand brushed against it, an odd sensation gripped him.

Something felt off. Frowning, he yanked the blanket back–Empty.

His chest tightened.

“Hadley?”

Eric shot to his feet, scanning the room. His heart pounded as he checked the bathroom, the closet, the balcony -nothing.

A surge of panic crashed through him as he bolted out of the bedroom, tearing through Silver Villas like a man possessed.

matter where he looked–she wasn’t there.

phone and dialed

ringtone echoed immediately.

sound, eyes locking onto the living

shoes neatly in place. The only thing missing were a single pair of indoor slippers.

but a thin

clenched into fists, frustration and regret colliding in his

a phone, without a coat–how would

a moment, fingers pressing against his temples as his mind

in the car… He had lost control. He knew

and Denver… nothing had happened between them

man–he would have known the moment he held

jealousy, he hadn’t

turned into something else entirely.

really lost control. He wasn’t even sure why. Years ago, these things had never mattered to him. But with Hadley, every little thing got under his skin. Every look,

kept insisting… that he

here they were.

thing–he really was a bastard. But

was only one thing that

his mind racing. Pulling up the surveillance footage, he fast- forwarded until he spotted Hadley. She had left

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black–and–white footage showed her stepping out of the house, wrapped only in a

heart clenched at the sight. Damn it.

didn’t have many friends in Srixby, which meant there was only one

no time, Eric grabbed his keys and tore out of the house, driving straight into the snowstorm.

“Hadley, Hadley!”

his voice raw, his breath misting

against the doorframe. His voice was low, almost pleading. “Please… open the

matter how many times he called her name–Nothing.

still furious. He had expected

you out here making so

his door, his expression laced with irritation. “Quit making

What?

fingers curled at his

his arms. “Tenant moved out weeks ago. Place has been empty ever

up. “Guess you two

The man door shut in Eric’s face.

live here anymore.

vision dimmed for a moment, his frustration mounting.

could Hadley have gone?

time–calling property

Villas, the surveillance footage had already been retrieved. His gaze locked onto the screen. There she

part of the license plate. Just a few digits. Not enough to

“Phillips!”

didn’t need to ask–he already knew what Eric wanted. “I’ll have someone look into it right

They had the car’s color, model, and partial plate number–that gave

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more. Hadley hadn’t been back in Srixby long, and her circle was small. She didn’t have many