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

Chapter 209 Short Fuse

The man standing before Hadley was the one she was supposed to call father. And look at what he'd done!

Once, Cade had sworn undying love to his wife, whispered sweet promises of forever, and shared the kind of

moments that should have been unbreakable. He had been overjoyed at Hadley’s birth, cradling her in his arms

as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

But all of it-the love, the devotion-had been a lie.

One day, everything changed. He abandoned his wife and child for his wife's sister without so much as a

backward glance, leaving them to fend for themselves as if they had never mattered at all.

Not once did he look back. Not once did he reach out.

If the Flynn family hadn't later taken Hadley in, she didn’t even want to imagine what her life would have

become.

And now, after years of silence, after treating her like she didn’t exist-he had the gall to show up and ask her for

a favor?

Not just any favor. He actually wanted her liver.

Hadley’s lips curled into a sharp, humorless laugh.

Did Cade really think she was that easy to manipulate?

Cade remained calm, unfazed by her reaction. His voice was smooth, practiced-like a salesman closing a deal.

“Hadley, | wouldn't ask you to do this for nothing.”

He paused, as if setting a trap. “The house on Maple Street-the one filled with your mother’s memories. If you

agree, I'll sign it over to you. That's what you want, isn’t it?”

Hadley stilled, her breath catching.

So that was what this was. He wasn’t asking. He was bartering.

The laughter bubbled out of Hadley, sharp and unrestrained, growing louder until it filled the space between

them.

Cade stiffened. “Hadley...”

There was an uneasiness in his voice, a flicker of hesitation.

Truthfully, he hadn't wanted to chere.

If it weren't for his son-if it weren't for his wife Noreen relentlessly pushing him-he never would have swallowed

his pride and sought out the daughter he had abandoned.

Deep down, he had known Hadley wouldn't agree. He knew she would refuse him.

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Chapter 209 Short Fuse

And now, seeing the raw amusement on her face, watching her laugh as if his very presence was a joke, Cade

immediately regretted coming. Grinding his teeth, he forced the words out. “I'm sorry, Hadley. Just... forget | said

anything.”

“Hmm?” Hadley’s laughter halted abruptly. She tilted her head, regarding him with cold eyes. “What's this? Not

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desperate to save your precious son anymore?”

Cade exhaled sharply and shook his head. “I'll find another way!” he muttered. “Hadley, I-I shouldn't have come.

Just act like | was never here today.”

With that, he turned on his heel and strode toward the door.

As his fingers brushed the handle, instinct made him glance back.

Hadley hadn't moved. She still sat in the splace, eyes locked on a distant point, lost in thought.

In that moment, she looked so much like her mother.

A pang of something stabbed through Cade’s chest. But instead of lingering, he forced himself to step through

the doorway and leave.

Hadley remained seated and laughed freely again, her laughter then slowly fading, the hollow echoes of it still

ringing in her ears. And then, gradually, it melted away, replaced by something deeper-something far heavier.

Sadness.

Back at the dance troupe, the trainees’ session that she supervised ended at 4:30 PM.

With no further obligations for the day, Hadley changed into her casual clothes and left the studio.

She needed air. Without much thought, she made her way to a small flower shop nearby.

She absentmindedly browsed through the arrangements, reaching out to touch the soft petals. Just then, her

phone buzzed in her pocket.

Hi”

“Hey, Hadley!” Eric’s voice was light, almost cheerful, as if he were in an unusually good mood. “Where are you?

I'm at your dance studio.”

Hadley blinked in surprise. “You are?” It was still early-wasn’t he supposed to be neck-deep in work right now?

“Yeah,” Eric replied casually. “I finished early today. There was a meeting, but nothing major, so | decided to skip

it. Phillips can handle it.”

His tone softened slightly, turning almost playful. “I wrapped up early to spend twith you. Are you happy?”

Hadley scoffed quietly. Not at all.

She forced a smile, effortlessly dodging the question. “I’m not at the stuanymore-I already left.”

“What?” The surprise in Eric’s voice was evident. “Where did you go?”

“Out to buy flowers,” she answered flatly.

Before he could respond, she continued, her tone brisk and detached, “I have other plans today. You should go

back to work-we’ll meet another time. Bye.”

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Chapter 209 Short Fuse

And with that, she hung up.

“Hello? Hadley?” Eric stared at his phone, stunned.

She hung up. Just like that.

His jaw tightened, irritation bubbling to the surface. “That woman is really getting out of hand.”

Lately, her attitude had becsharper, more indifferent, more impossible to predict. And the worst part? He

had no idea how to handle it.

Meanwhile, in the flower shop, Hadley remained utterly indifferent to Eric's reaction. If he was annoyed, good.

If he really couldn't take it anymore and wanted to break things off? Even better.

“Could you wrap these for me?”

The florist smiled, carefully gathering the bouquet-a mix of elegant lilies and soft carnations.

“Of course,” the florist replied. “Please wait just a moment.”

“How much is it?” Hadley inquired, phone in hand as she approached the cashier.

“That'll be $136 in total. Thank you.”

Just as she was about to pay, the doorbell chimed softly, signaling someone’s entrance. Hadley barely had time

to react before Eric stepped inside, heading straight for her without hesitation.

“There you are!”

“What are you doing here?” She turned to face him, startled. “How did you even find me?”

Eric smirked, the look in his eyes filled with quiet confidence. “When you really want to find someone, it's not

difficult.” He gestured around the shop.

“You said you were buying flowers. There aren't many florists around-figured I'd check a few, and here you are.”

Damn.

Hadley sighed, already regretting mentioning it earlier.

“Your order is ready.” The florist approached, handing over the bouquets.

“I'll take that!” Before Hadley could take them, Eric smoothly intercepted, gathering the flowers in one arm while

slipping his other hand into hers.

“Let's go,” he said smoothly.

“Eric...” Hadley gave him a pointed look. “I don’t have the tor the patience for a date right now.”

Since agreeing to reconcile, she had never intended to go back to the way things were.

Eric's expression flickered-just for a moment. His mood seemed to dip slightly, the corners of his lips tightening

Was he annoyed? Good. That was exactly what she wanted.

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If he was frustrated, he could walk away. If he couldn't handle this and ended things himself, even better. She'd

welcit.

But Eric didn’t argue. He didn’t complain. Instead, he silently walked to the car, set the flowers carefully in the

trunk, and then pulled the door open for her. “Get in.”

“Eric?”

“Just get in!” His tone was steady, unmoving.

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He had made his choice-now, he had to embrace all of her, every sharp edge and untamed piece.

Why was he so persistent? He wasn’t the type to tolerate this kind of push-and-pull. And yet, he was still here.

Still holding on.

Eric glanced at her, voice softer this time. “Where are the flowers going? I'll drive you,” he said simply. “Not a

date. Just a ride.”

Hadley exhaled slowly. Fine.

If he wanted to be her driver so badly, so be it.

Hadley gave a small nod, slid into the passenger seat, and casually rattled off an address. “Dracnesse Town.”

Eric raised an eyebrow but nodded, inputting the destination into the GPS. “Dracnesse Town?” He repeated,

glancing at her. “Alright.”

As the engine rumbled to life, he stole another glance her way. “What are you planning to do there?”

Hadley didn’t bother answering. Instead, she leaned back against the seat, shutting her eyes. “Just drive. Why

the interrogation?”

Eric blinked, slightly taken aback. Was it really that wrong to ask?

Noticing the car hadn't moved, Hadley cracked one eye open, irritation creeping into her voice. “Are you driving

or not? Because if you're not, I'll get out-"

“Chill out!”

Eric reached out instinctively, placing a firm but gentle hand on her arm. His lips curled into a mix of amusement

and exasperation. “Alright, alright, Ill drive. You really have a short fuse, you know that?”

Even the smallest setback and she wouldn't hesitate to throw a tantrum.

The car rolled forward, the city slowly fading behind them as they drove toward Dracnesse Town. Hadley’s mind

drifted with the passing scenery. Dracnesse Town... her grandmother Clare’s hometown.

After her parents’ divorce, her mother had brought her here, trying to rebuild a life in the quiet town. But in the

end, it becthe place where her mother was laid to rest-behind her grandmother's old house.

Hadley had rarely returned, even after moving back to Srixby. The memories here weren't easy to confront. It

wasn't that she didn’t want to visit her mother.

She just... couldn't face her.

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Chapter 209 Short Fuse

As the drive neared its end, the sun still lingered in the sky, casting golden streaks over the horizon.

“Stop here.”

Hadley directed him to a small clearing at the foot of a hill.

“Okay.” Eric obeyed without question, stepping out and retrieving the flowers from the trunk. He took in the

quiet, solemn landscape, and then glanced at Hadley. “Are you here to visit someone?” he asked, his voice softer

now, more thoughtful.

“Yes.” Hadley nodded, her tone barely above a whisper. “My mother.”

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