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.”

glared at Nyla. “What are

and that’s why he’s

exhaled slowly, shaking her

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

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

“I…”

flushed and drained from

exactly how much

the Flynn family was

time, she had saved the Flynn brothers. That debt had secured

that Locke was here… Nyla’s

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

going on here?”

Ernest had arrived.

Before

anyone

answer, Locke moved first. “Dad!”

boy scrambled down from Nyla’s lap and planted himself squarely in front of Ernest. For someone so small, he stood with an unshaken determination–one that shouldn’t belong to a child his age.

“Dad, I’m sorry!”

words trembling on the verge of

at Ernest,

uncertain–sent a

child. And yet, he

his father had the power to decide whether he belonged in

Ernest crouched down and pulled Locke

shirt, gripping it as if letting go would mean losing everything. His voice shrank

streamed down his cheeks, his small frame trembling as he sobbed into Ernest’s chest.

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251 She Is

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

“Dad!”

reached out, stroking Locke’s soft hair. “Sweetheart, let’s

tears slowed. He blinked up at her, sniffling once

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

comforting.

standing off to the side, it was suffocating. She had been completely forgotten, pushed into the

another word, she turned and made

“Hadley!”

sharp gaze immediately catching sight of Hadley walking toward

his eyes flickered toward the hallway–just in time

going

had a fight,” Hadley said casually, chewing thoughtfully.

over the boy?

she just… doesn’t know

smirked, lifting the spoon toward him.

leaning in, taking the bite straight

it good?” she

nodding appreciatively. “Can I have some more?”

the bowl

I have this bowl, and I’ll just make you some

more later?”

emerged from her room, suitcase in hand, dressed as if she were heading somewhere

her gaze landed on them–Eric and Hadley, standing side

so certain–so sure—that

The woman he had truly loved… had been someone else entirely. And they had a child to prove it.

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