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

flushed with anger as she glared at Nyla. “What are you trying to

why he’s

shaking her head

what I meant…” she said, her voice gentle but firm.

against her, his small frame rigid with fear. “He’s still learning. Don’t take his words or actions so

“I…”

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

exactly how much

had been welcomed into the Flynn family was because of her past–because once

had saved the Flynn brothers. That debt had secured

that Locke was here… Nyla’s

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

going on here?”

Ernest had arrived.

Before

anyone

moved

and planted himself squarely in front of Ernest. For someone so small, he stood with an unshaken determination–one

“Dad, I’m sorry!”

fists clenched, his words trembling on the verge

Ernest, searching his face for a reaction.

a sharp pang through

a child. And yet, he already understood too much.

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

down and pulled Locke

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

frame trembling

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your home.

“Dad!”

soft hair. “Sweetheart, let’s not cry anymore, okay? How

up at her, sniffling once more

and son was undeniable–a picture of

comforting.

off to the side, it was suffocating. She had been

turned and made her way

“Hadley!”

his sharp gaze immediately catching sight of Hadley walking toward

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

brows furrowed. “What’s going

Hadley said casually, chewing thoughtfully.

over the boy?

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

lifting the spoon toward

leaning in, taking the bite straight from her spoon.

good?”

nodding appreciatively. “Can

all,” she protested, pulling the bowl slightly

his head. “You’re impossible. How about I have this bowl,

more later?”

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

landed on them–Eric and Hadley, standing side by side in front

had once been so certain–so

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

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