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

Chapter 729:

The little 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!”

His tiny fists clenched, his words trembling on the verge of breaking.

Locke hesitated, stealing a glance up at Ernest, searching his face for a reaction.

That look—so fragile, so uncertain—sent a sharp pang through Ernest’s chest.

He was just a child. And yet, he already understood too much.

That his fate wasn’t in his own hands. That his father had the power to decide whether he belonged in this family. Whether he mattered.

down and pulled

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

small frame trembling as

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

“Dad!”

her heart ache. She reached out, stroking Locke’s soft hair. “Sweetheart, let’s not cry anymore, okay? How about some ice cream?” Locke’s tears slowed. He blinked up at her, sniffling once

escape on g aln ov el

was undeniable—a picture of

She had been completely forgotten, pushed into the background. Without

“Hadley!”

immediately catching sight

he reached her, his eyes flickered toward the hallway—just in time to see Linda retreat into her

Hadley said casually, chewing thoughtfully. “Seems

over the boy? Eric hesitated before choosing his words carefully. “Maybe