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.

here, Locke. There’s no

as she glared at Nyla. “What are you trying to say? Are

why he’s afraid of

slowly, shaking her head with quiet

she said, her voice gentle but firm. “Locke is just a child. He’s only

his small frame rigid with fear. “He’s still learning. Don’t take his

“I…”

slap. Color flushed and drained from her face in quick succession, embarrassment colliding

much

only reason Linda had been welcomed into the Flynn family was because of her past–because

saved the Flynn brothers. That debt had secured her a place among

Locke was here…

Linda wasn’t family. Not really. She was an

on

Ernest had arrived.

Before

anyone

answer, Locke moved

someone so small, he stood with an

“Dad, I’m sorry!”

tiny fists clenched, his words trembling on the verge of

a glance up at Ernest,

a sharp pang through Ernest’s chest.

yet, he

his fate wasn’t in his own hands. That his father had the power to decide whether

Ernest crouched down and

fingers curled into his shirt, gripping it as if letting go would mean losing everything. His voice shrank to a whisper, heavy with fear.

his cheeks, his small frame trembling as he sobbed into Ernest’s

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251 She Is

cheeks, his voice steady, reassuring. “This is your home. No matter what happens, I don’t

“Dad!”

Locke’s soft hair. “Sweetheart, let’s not cry anymore, okay? How about some ice

tears slowed. He blinked up at her, sniffling once more

between father and son was undeniable–a picture of familial love that

comforting.

was

turned and made her way

“Hadley!”

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

flickered toward the hallway–just in time to see Linda retreat into her

furrowed. “What’s going on? What happened?”

Hadley said casually, chewing thoughtfully.

over the

“Maybe she just… doesn’t know how to handle

toward him.

He eyed it for a moment before leaning in, taking the bite straight from her

it good?” she

appreciatively. “Can I have

pulling the bowl slightly away. “Save some for me too.”

How about I have this bowl, and

more later?”

playful back–and–forth echoed softly through the hallway. And then–Linda emerged from her room, suitcase in hand, dressed as if she

pace slowed when her gaze landed on them–Eric and Hadley, standing side by side in front of their room, sharing a bowl of

had once been so certain–so sure—that

been wrong. The woman he had truly loved… had been

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