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

Chapter 1003:

She met him downstairs and got in his car.

“This isn’t the place to talk,” Eric said gently. “Let’s grab a table somewhere quiet.”

Hadley remained silent, avoiding his eyes.

They ended up at a small diner. Eric led her to a corner booth.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?” he asked. “You like the pancakes here.”

But Hadley didn’t soften. She folded her arms, her voice flat. “Now that we’re here, just say what you need to about Joy.”

It was as if even one more second in his company was unbearable.

Eric was silent for a moment, then reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small velvet box and held it in his hand.

Slowly, he stood and knelt down on one knee in front of her.

on earth was

so stunned she nearly leapt from her

pushed her back down. “Just

brows furrowed, confusion and disbelief clouding her

opened the velvet box. Nestled inside was the red diamond ring he

it carefully, and looked up at her with quiet hope

marry me.

She

a shy, almost sheepish

proposal. But things didn’t go as expected, and… this is the best I

??? ????? ?????

he reached for her hand, the ring ready in

you doing?” Hadley jerked her hand away as though burned, her voice sharp. Her eyes widened with disbelief.

slowly lowered his hand, his dark gaze steady. “You

as she shook her head. His proposal was utterly baffling. “You’ve known for years I don’t love you. I haven’t for a long time. If it weren’t for Joy, I wouldn’t be involved with you at all—we wouldn’t even be

hardened. “And even if we didn’t have history—after you chose Linda

He simply looked at