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

Chapter 728:

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?”

Nyla—the way his body trembled against her—said everything. He was

“Locke!”

the boy, her expression dark with frustration. Her

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

Everyone in the Flynn family knew—Linda

don’t be afraid. It’s okay, honey.” Nyla’s voice was a soothing whisper,

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: ⲅⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧸ⅽ𝗼𝗺

eldest great-grandchild, the boy should have had everything—a childhood filled with warmth, security, and love. Instead, he had spent three years in hardship, growing up in a world that never

“I’m here, Locke. There’s no reason to

trying to say? Are you implying

with quiet disappointment. “That’s not what I meant,” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “Locke is just a child. He’s

nestled against her, his small frame rigid with fear. “He’s

like a slap. Color flushed and drained from her face in

knew exactly how