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

Chapter 251

Chapter 251 She Is An Outsider

Despite his small stature, Locke spoke with the sharpness of a child who understood more than most gave him

credit for.

“If you’re really my mom, then why didn’t you come with Dad to get me?”

Linda’s smile faltered for the briefest moment, a flicker of unease crossing her features. But she quickly masked

it, smoothing out her expression with practiced charm.

“I wasn’t your mother before,” she cooed, her voice honeyed yet hollow. “But now I will be. Isn’t that nice?”

“Why?” Locke asked bluntly, eyes narrowing with distrust. “You don’t even like me. I don’t want you to be my

mom.”

Then, just like that, he stood up, ready to leave–ready to run.

Before he could take a step, Linda’s fingers clamped around his tiny arm. Not rough, but firm.

Her voice dipped, low and sharp, a far cry from the gentle act she’d been putting on. “Listen to me, Locke, I’m going to marry your father. That means–whether you like it or not–I will be your mother.”

“No! Let me go!” the boy cried, yanking at his arm, his small body twisting in panic.

Terror surged through him, and without thinking, he ran.

He sprinted blindly, breath coming in quick gasps—until he crashed into Nyla’s legs. “Locke? What happened?”

The way his small hands clutched at Nyla–the way his body trembled against her–said everything. He was

scared.

“Locke!”

Linda stormed after the boy, her expression dark with frustration. Her anger flickered, replaced momentarily by

surprise when she saw Nyla.

“Great–grandma.” At the sight of Nyla, Locke didn’t hesitate–he burrowed deeper into her embrace, his small body trembling as he turned his back to Linda. He clung to Nyla as if she were his shield, refusing to even look

at Linda.

The message was painfully clear.

Everyone in the Flynn family knew–Linda had never liked Locke.

“Locke, don’t be afraid. It’s okay, honey.” Nyla’s voice was a soothing whisper, laced with quiet sorrow.

As her eldest great–grandchild, the boy should have had everything–a childhood filled with warmth, security,

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and love. Instead, he had spent three years in hardship, growing up in a world that never made room for him.

Alone. Forgotten. Unwanted. The weight of it made Nyla’s chest tighten.

held him closer. “I’m here, Locke. There’s no reason to be afraid.”

as she glared at Nyla. “What are

he’s afraid of

her head

voice gentle but firm. “Locke is

gaze softened as she looked down at the boy nestled against her, his small frame rigid with

“I…”

drained from her face in quick succession,

much Nyla adored Locke.

into the Flynn family

That debt had secured her a place

now that Locke was here… Nyla’s world had shifted.

was painfully clear. Linda wasn’t family. Not really. She was

on here?”

Ernest had arrived.

Before

anyone

moved first. “Dad!”

scrambled down from Nyla’s lap and planted himself squarely in front of Ernest. For someone so small,

“Dad, I’m sorry!”

fists clenched, his words trembling on the verge

Ernest, searching his

uncertain–sent a sharp pang through Ernest’s

just a child. And yet, he already understood

father had the power to decide whether he belonged in this family. Whether he

crouched down and pulled Locke into his

losing everything. His voice shrank to a whisper, heavy with fear.

down his cheeks, his small frame trembling

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251 She Is An

Ernest gently wiped the tears from his son’s cheeks, his voice steady, reassuring. “This is your home. No matter what happens, I don’t want you thinking like that again. Do you hear me?”

“Dad!”

out, stroking Locke’s soft hair.

slowed. He blinked up at her, sniffling once more

picture of familial love that should have been

comforting.

was suffocating. She

Without another word, she turned and made her way upstairs.

“Hadley!”

freshly changed, his sharp gaze immediately catching sight of Hadley walking toward him with a bowl of yogurt

just as he reached her, his eyes flickered toward the hallway–just in time to see Linda retreat

“What’s going on? What

Hadley said casually, chewing

fought over the

hesitated before choosing his words carefully. “Maybe she just… doesn’t know how

the spoon toward him. “Want some

He eyed it for a moment before leaning in, taking

good?” she asked.

swallowed, nodding appreciatively. “Can I have some more?”

bowl

How about I have this

more later?”

room, suitcase in hand, dressed as if

on them–Eric and Hadley, standing side by side in front of their room, sharing a bowl

certain–so sure—that Ernest had

wrong. The woman he had truly loved… had been

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25 She is in ser

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