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 reason to be afraid.”

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

he’s afraid of

Nyla exhaled slowly, shaking her head

not what I meant…” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “Locke is just a child.

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

“I…”

drained from her face in quick succession, embarrassment colliding

knew exactly how much Nyla adored Locke.

Flynn family was because of her past–because once upon

saved the Flynn brothers. That debt had secured her

here… Nyla’s world had shifted.

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

on here?”

Ernest had arrived.

Before

anyone

moved

For someone so small, he stood with an unshaken determination–one that shouldn’t

“Dad, I’m sorry!”

his words trembling on the verge of

up at Ernest,

so uncertain–sent a sharp pang

And yet, he already understood too

hands. That his father had the power to

and pulled

would mean losing everything. His voice shrank to a whisper, heavy with fear. “I’m sorry. Please don’t send me

his small frame

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tears from his son’s cheeks, his voice steady, reassuring. “This is your home. No matter what happens, I

“Dad!”

Nyla felt her heart ached. She reached out, stroking Locke’s soft hair. “Sweetheart, let’s not cry anymore, okay? How about

her, sniffling once

son was undeniable–a picture of familial love that should have

comforting.

side, it was suffocating. She

Without another word, she turned and

“Hadley!”

immediately catching sight of Hadley

her, his eyes flickered toward the hallway–just in time to see Linda

brows furrowed. “What’s going

had a fight,” Hadley said casually, chewing thoughtfully. “Seems like Locke doesn’t

over the boy?

his words carefully. “Maybe she just… doesn’t know how to

the spoon toward him. “Want

it for a moment before leaning in, taking the bite straight

it good?” she

“Can I have some more?”

it all,” she protested, pulling the bowl slightly away. “Save some for me too.”

head. “You’re impossible. How about I have this bowl, and I’ll just make you some

more later?”

then–Linda emerged from her room, suitcase in hand, dressed as if she

Hadley, standing side by side in front of their

had once been so certain–so sure—that Ernest

she had been wrong. The woman he had truly loved… had been someone else entirely. And they had a

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