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

Chapter 233 Hadley, Give

Me Some Time

Hadley’s laughter bubbled up quietly after hearing Eric’s words.

“Something amusing about what I just said?” Eric frowned, baffled by her unexpected reaction.

“Nope.”

She pressed her lips together, trying to hold back the laughter that danced in her eyes. “Mr. Flynn, you’ve just unintentionally confessed who truly holds your heart.”

Eric’s confusion only deepened. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

“Well…” Hadley exhaled softly, wondering if he truly couldn’t see it himself.

Fine, she’d spell it out clearly.

With deliberate frankness, she said, “You’re always fulfilling Linda’s every wish, giving her the very best. By your own logic, that’ll mean the person you actually love is—”

“Hadley!” Eric snapped, cutting her off abruptly, his expression clouding over.

Ignoring the sharp interruption, Hadley tilted her head gently. “Does hearing the truth irritate you that much?”

Reaching up slowly, she straightened his tie.

It had become slightly crooked in his haste earlier.

“Mr. Flynn, just because you can’t marry the person you truly desire doesn’t mean marriage should become your consolation prize.”

She finished tidying his tie, fingers carefully releasing the silk.

Eric looked downward briefly before gripping her hand firmly. “Could you take this seriously for a second? Linda has nothing to do with what’s between us. Why do you keep mentioning her?”

So, she wasn’t even allowed to say Linda’s name now?

Hadley’s smile lost its playful edge, growing serious. “Alright, let me say this plainly–I won’t marry you.”

“What’s your reason?” Eric’s gaze sharpened suspiciously. “Because you assume I don’t love you?”

That wasn’t the reason at all.

It hardly mattered to Hadley whether or not he loved her. But she couldn’t openly admit that.

Looking at him incredulously, Hadley replied, “Why are you turning this around on me? Isn’t the uncertainty yours to figure out? Proposing marriage right now is impulsive and unfair. Do you really see me as someone

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who’d accept being your backup?”

that’s not my intention, it’s just.

never experienced love before.

no idea how love was

It doesn’t matter right now.”

decisively, clearly finished with the conversation “it’s getting late–take me to the dance

“Alright.”

the short drive.

studio, Hadley quickly unbuckled her

“Hadley…”

the door, Eric

tightly, Hadley offered him a soft, reassuring smile. “If you don’t

late.”

Eric’s fingertips brushed softly through her hair. I’ll

her.

“I will.”

Hadley felt oddly disconnected

after Eric drove off, she stood rooted to the

he meant by finding

what exactly did he think she wanted to hear?

he was talking about?

utterly confused by his intentions, but there wasn’t

focus needed to shift quickly–Joy was about to go back to the hospital. Even though it was a routine admission with basic tests and treatments, the hospital stay would

or maybe five days at

found comfort in familiar things, so packing Joy’s belongings required

to detail.

straight days, she and Melba had meticulously prepared everything Joy

had even arranged to take leave from the dance troupe.

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Give Me Some

as she stepped inside, Hadley slipped out the back and took a cab straight to her

“Mommy’s here!”

and Hadley scooped her up warmly, while Melba took charge of their luggage. Soon after,

completing all necessary forms, Colden entered alongside a nurse to

“That’s my girl!”

affectionately ruffled Joy’s hair and gave her an approving

good about taking your

tiny voice was filled with pride, melting everyone’s hearts.

listen to Mommy!”

that right?”

a brightly wrapped candy. “Guess what I’ve got

“Wow, is that candy for

gently. “But you’ll have to earn it by being brave during today’s tests. Today’s

“Joy will be the

“Good girl!”

her. “The nurse will stay with Joy the entire time. If you notice she’s

you so much,

just doing my job.”

forehead. “Let’s be brave together,

tests stretched throughout

end, Joy slumped wearily against Hadley, breaking her heart a little more with every tired sigh.

do you want for lunch?”