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

Chapter 32 What is Wrong With Him Hadley fetched a basin of water, pushed up her sleeves, and dove into wiping down Myla's body with all the care in the world, taking her sweet time. She swapped out Hyla's old clothes for fresh ones, her hands moving soft and steady, like she was handling something precious.

Meanwhile, Marshall and Eric were parked across from each other, shooting the breeze, Marshall tipped his head toward the inner room where Hadley was busy, "She is not the sgirl she used to be, huh?" "Not the sgirl?" Eric muttered, a flicker of irritation sparking inside him. "You've barely crossed paths with her since she returned. What makes you think you've got her all figured out?" Marshall clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes. "You don't need a decade to spot it. The way she car: herself, that look in her eyes-it's like night and day now." His voice had a warm edge, like he was tipping his hat to her.

Eric wasn't having it, his lips twisting into a smirk. “Old habits cling like burrs. It's all a front, I'm telling you!" "A front?" Marshall raised a brow, clearly not sold. "What has she got to prove to you or me? Look, I get it- you've never been her biggest fan-but didn't you both sign the divorce papers already?" His tone cut right through Eric's grumbling, sharp and knowing.

He nodded toward the room again before continuing, "Check out how she is tending to Nyla. Cut her sslack, man. Just treat her like family-like a sister or something." Eric let out a dry huff. "Since when did you turn into a chatterbox? You cto see my grandma but barely lifted a finger. Finish your grub and hit the road!" "I refuse to," Marshall jokingly replied. "I promise to save my meal for Hadley..." "Enough!" Eric let out a half-amused, half-fed-up chuckle. "She is my sister now, isn't she? Don't worry, I've got this-now scram!" "Fair enough," Marshall said with a shrug.

He wolfed down the last of his breakfast in a couple of hasty bites. "I'll hit the road then." "Sweet," Eric replied, tossing him a casual nod. "I'll be a tad late, though." The two had been teaming up on a project and originally planned to head out together after Marshall swung by to see Nyla.

0.0% 19:18 ||| O < But life threw a curveball, and Eric had to hang back a little longer.

Soon after Marshall bolted, Hadley slipped out of the inner room. She had just finished sprucing up Nyla- cleaned her up, got her into sfresh clothes-and was clutching a bundle of dirty clothes.

A caregiver darted over to Hadley, all chipper. "Letsnag those for the laundry!" "Thank you," Hadley said, passing them off with a grin.

Eric flicked his eyes toward Hadley, his voice softening before he could catch himself. “Go scrub those hands." "On it," Hadley replied, heading off to freshen up.

When she cback, Eric jerked his chin at the chair across from him. "Sit down." Hadley blinked, thrown for a loop. "What's up? You need something?" If not, she had to hit the road pronto-she was already pushing it to get back to Galant for rehearsal.

"Just sit when I say sit," Eric snapped, his brow creasing. Patience wasn't exactly his forte. "What is the big deal? The chair is not gonna eat you. Sit already." Hadley let out a quiet sigh but plopped down anyway.

A smirk tugged at Eric's lips, smug as can be. He waved a hand at the untouched breakfast spread-his portion - still sitting pretty on the table.

"Dion de in." Say what now? Hadley froze, wondering if her ears were playing tricks on her. Eric was offering her food? Earlier, he had practically put up a "no Hadley allowed" sign around the grub.

"Uh..." Eric clocked Hadley's hesitation and read her mind like a book.

He swallowed hard, practically choking on the words. "Look, earlier? That wasbeing a jerk. I'm sorry." Hadley's jaw hit the floor. Eric, of all people, apologizing? She had to be dreaming. In all the tshe had known him, this was a unicorn moment.

Still, she figured it all boiled down to Nyla.

Hadley's voice cout soft as a whisper, "No need to say sorry to me. I get it-you're not exactly my cheerleader, maybe even can't stand the sight of me. It's only natural you'd rather not bump into someone who rubs you the wrong way. But I'm here for Nyla, not you. I'll be more careful and make sure to steer clear of your radar from now on." She flashed a small smile, nodding at the table. "You've got nothing to feel bad about. I'll pass on breakfast.” He had laid out an apology, and she still wasn't biting? Eric's face clouded over, his tone dropping to subzero. "Oh, so you'll scarf down whatever Marshall shoves your way, but when I offer something, it's a hard no?" As he spoke, Eric's mind flashed back to Hadley's warm smile at Marshall, and it lit a fire in his chest.

26.4% O O 19.18 O < Chapter 32 What is Wrong With Him Narrowing his eyes, Eric spat out his words like venom.

"You sure looked cozy grinning at Marshall earlier, huh? What's the deal-are you into him now?" Hadley blinked, completely thrown.

What was he even on about? But Eric wasn't letting up.

His eyes blazed with fury, a wild tempest churning beneath the surface.

"Marshall is way out of your league-don't even think about it! Setting aside the fact that everyone in this town knows your nfor all the wrong reasons, you're a divorcee with a rap sheet of bad vibes. You've got no shot with any of Srixby's big shots!" Hadley took it all in without a word, her initial stun giving way as the color bled from her cheeks.

Then Eric twisted the knife. "Talk about reaching for the stars!" In an instant, Hadley's whole frlocked up, shaking like a leaf caught in a storm.

How could someone this nasty even exist? How had she ever fallen for a guy this rotten? She looked at Eric, her smile faint but sharp enough to cut glass.

"Yeah, I'm swinging way out of my league! But you? Can you sink any lower than lusting after your own brother's woman? Is there a soul in Srixby who hasn't heard about that dirty little secret of yours?" Her words dropped like a bomb, leaving a thick, suffocating silence in their wake.

Eric's fists clenched tight, his glare turning icy and downright sinister as it swallowed Hadley whole. "Hadley!" Before he could blow his top, Hadley spun on her heel, snatched her backpack off the couch, and hightailed it out the door.

Eric's chiseled face darkened, his lips pressed into a thin, furious line. "I shouldn't have even bothered with you!" With no one to take it out on, he lashed out, kicking over two chairs in a row in a sudden burst of fury.

But the anger still gnawed at him, unrelenting.

What the heck was wrong with him? Why was he letting Hadley get under his skin like this? Later that evening, Hadley rolled up to Galant like clockwork.

After her performance, she slipped into the dressing room to wipe off the stage makeup.

Then her phone buzzed with an overseas call.

"Hello!" Hadley answered, her voice heavy. "Dr. Williams." "Hey, Ms. Pearson," Mathias Williams replied, his tone just as grave. "I need to talk to you about Joy's condition." "Okay." Hadley straightened up without even realizing it.

57.4% 19:18 111 O Chapter 32 What is Wrong With Him "Joy had her treatment a few days back," he went on. "She dealt with svomiting and diarrhea, but she is bounced back a bit these last couple of days." Hadley's eyes dulled, a pang twisting in her chest. She wasn't there with her daughter. Joy must've felt so alone. "Your friend's been keeping her company, though," Mathias added, referring to Colleen.

"Joy's holding up alright," Mathias said with a sigh. “I know you're from Srixby. Now that you're back, have you thought about giving Joy a little sibling like we've talked about before?" Hadley caught the hint loud and clear.

If there was even the tiniest glimmer of hope, she would snatch it up in a heartbeat. But no, the reality was a harsh wake-up call. She shook her head. "It's not an option, Dr. Williams." Mathias let out a soft sigh. "Sorry, I overstepped." "No, don't say that. I know you're just looking out for her."

After the call ended, Hadley stared at her phone, her eyes glistening as they lingered on the Screensaver-a photo of Joy's bright little face.

"Joy, my sweet girl," Hadley whispered, her voice cracking like fragile glass. "I'm busting my tail to make enough cash. I'll bring you hsoon, I promise!" 100.0% +* O