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

Chapter 997:

As Denver approached, he gave a polite nod. “Eric.”

There was no warmth in the exchange, but civility mattered. Appearances had to be kept.

Eric returned it with a curt nod of his own. “Denver.”

Without another word, Denver pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Hadley was on the phone with Joy, her voice soft and tinged with guilt. “Mommy, you didn’t come home last night,” came the little one’s voice on the other end.

“I’m sorry, Joy. Mommy had work to do.”

She couldn’t bring herself to tell Joy the truth—that she’d been kidnapped and barely escaped a fire. Instead, she wove a story about being stuck with work, away for a few more days. “I’ll be good and wait for you at home, Mommy. Bye-bye.”

“Bye-bye, sweetheart.”

the call, Hadley looked up and caught sight of Denver. A tired but genuine smile touched

figured,” Denver said with a small

end

a once-over, his

“I am,” she answered.

everything looks good after one more night of observation, I can go home tomorrow morning.” Thankfully, there had

low but sincere as she looked at him. “If it weren’t for you… I might never have seen Joy again.” The weight of that truth settled between them. She owed him more

to accept it—his choice

you love are at

hadn’t let go. Not

asked, his eyes locked on hers. “Wondering if I’ll cling to you now, just because of what

too much into it,” he continued, a faint, sardonic smile flickering on his face. “Yes, I pulled you out of the fire. But I haven’t

anything. What my mother did to you back then—I was part of that debt. Saving you… maybe it makes us

some old ledger. Such a perfect moment—he could have