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

Chapter 164 You Left Her With SDeep-seated...

Eric hesitated, his gaze intensifying as he leaned in, gently grasping Hadley’s hand.

Circumventing a straightforward answer, he asked, “Considering that we've decided to be together, sharing a

room should be quite ordinary, right? Do you have reservations?”

Hadley paused, and then shook her head. “No, | don’t.”

“So...” As Eric spoke, his lips hovered near her cheek. “May | kiss you now?”

Caught off guard, Hadley managed a tense smile. “Yes, you may.”

She then shut her eyes and slightly lifted her chin.

Resigned to the moment, she chose to meet it boldly.

“Hadley...”

In a whisper, Eric raised his hand to her chin, his touch grazing her lips.

The touch was new and unsettling to Hadley, causing discomfort she couldn't express, her hands tightening into

fists.

Eric, his throat tightening with emotion, finally acted on his feelings and pressed his lips to hers.

The tension mounted, becoming unbearable for her.

Suddenly, Hadley’s body tensed up, shaking uncontrollably. Her eyes snapped open, locking onto the man before

her.

Without thinking, her hand shot up to his shoulder, instinctively trying to push him back.

Yet she quickly caught herself... No, that wasn’t an option!

“Hadley?”

Eric picked up on her distress instantly, noting how rigid she was in his embrace.

“What's the matter?” he inquired, his hand softly stroking her cheek.

Hadley’s complexion turned even paler. Abruptly, she got up and rushed into the bathroom. “Hadley!”

Eric moved to follow, but only reached the bathroom door as it clanged shut in front of him.

Inside, Hadley faced herself in the mirror, her entire body quivering, her teeth clattering from the fear.

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No, she just couldnt go through with it!

Cold water cascaded over her face as she twisted the faucet open.

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“Hadley?”

The sound of splashing water prompted Eric to rap gently on the bathroom door. “Is something wrong? You don’t

seem well. Please, talk to me. I'll enter if you keep quiet.”

He was mid-sentence when the bathroom door creaked open.

There stood Hadley, her cheeks glistening with water, trying to smile-a gesture more heartrending than weeping.

“I'm okay.”

“Hadley...”

A crease formed on Eric's forehead as he studied her face, pondering her self-contradiction.

“What's causing this reaction?”

He expressed the question that had been troubling him.

Eric had observed Hadley’s reluctance to engage in close physical contact, not just with kissing but even casual

touches.

Her eyes met his, her expression wan and evasive, and she shook her head in bewilderment.

“I'm not sure. I'm just... incredibly terrified. Being intimate with people just scares me.”

Was she scared of being close to him?

Apologizing, Hadley managed a weak smile. “I didn’t intend to...”

“It’s not your fault.” Eric reassured her.

Gently, he grasped her hand, drawing her close into a comforting embrace and softly patting her back. “Take

your time. As you grow more comfortable with me, the fear will fade.”

“Alright.”

Resting against him, Hadley smiled, yet her eyes betrayed a fleeting chill.

She glanced up at him. “I could use something to eat.”

“Really?” Eric lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “Sure, I'll find you something.”

Teasingly, he pinched her nose. “Who says no eating at night? I'll pick something light.”

“Sounds good.”

With that, Eric departed.

While fetching snacks, Eric encountered Marshall.

Marshall eyed the plate in Eric's hands with a hint of scorn. “Never pegged you as the thoughtful type.”

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Chapter 164 You Left Her With SDeep-seated Issues

“I need your insight on something.” Eric brushed off the jab and asked, “What reasons might someone have for

disliking or fearing physical closeness with others?”

Marshall caught the implication right away, his grin growing mischievous.

“Is Hadley hesitant to get close to you?”

“Quiet!”

Eric quickly scanned the surroundings and, confirming they were alone, he whispered, nodding.

“Whenever | approach her, she seems to... stiffen up.”

“Hmm...”

Marshall smirked, slinging an arm around Eric’s shoulder. “Could it be that you’re just not very good at this?”

What?

Eric, momentarily stunned, retorted, “How could...”

But he paused, memories flooding back.

#

In the early days of their marriage, their moments of intimacy had always been brief and hurried...

Eric vaguely remembered Hadley crying afterwards... ebaluatul al atau

Marshall noticed Eric's face cloud over and chuckled.

With a raised eyebrow, he said, “Look, Hadley was just twenty when you guys married... Perhaps you've left her

with sdeep-seated issues.”

“Back off!”

Annoyed, Eric pushed Marshall aside. “Asking you was a mistake.”

He continued on his way, food tray in hand.

“Mr. Flynn! Put in seffort!”

Eric dismissed his taunts. Was there any truth to Marshall's claims, though?

That couldn't be, could it? Although their past was not flawless, Eric believed there was more to Hadley’s

pronounced discomfort...

After hesitating briefly, he made his way back to the room. Hadley had showered and was now wearing a

bathrobe.

“You're back.”

She passed him a water bottle she had grabbed from the refrigerator.

“This turned out to be sparkling. I'm not fond of carbonated drinks, so | barely sipped it. You can have the rest.”

“Thanks.”

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Eric accepted the bottle and gulped down half of it immediately.

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Chapter 164 You Left Her With SDeep-seated Issues

Glancing over, he noticed Hadley nibbling on the salad he bought back. He gestured towards her dish. “Make

sure to add sprotein. Try sof the shrimp.”

“Here, have syourself.”

With her fork, Hadley skewered a shrimp and held it out to him. Eric accepted it with a smile, enjoying the bite.

He cherished her tender act, confident that their bond would strengthen over time.

Rising from his seat, he indicated the bed. “Tonight, you take the bed, Ill sleep on the sofa.”

Leaning in, he gently raised her chin. “There's no need to hurry. Take all the tyou need.”

“Alright.”

Hadley returned his smile and nodded, yet her smile vanished as soon as he looked away.

Deep into the night.

“Eric?”

Hadley whispered his nmultiple times, making sure he was deeply asleep on the couch, before she flicked

on the bedside light and rose.

From her bag, she retrieved a compact medical kit-a blood drawing set.

With a resolute inhale, she moved towards the couch.

Eric lay there, deeply asleep.

Hadley grasped his arm and carefully rolled up the sleeve. Confident he wouldn't stir-she had mixed a sleeping

tablet into his sparkling water earlier.

Holding her breath, she meticulously followed the instructions Colleen had given her-tying the tourniquet,

cleansing the skin, inserting the needle, and drawing the blood.

Afterward, she withdrew the needle.

Luckily, Eric's veins were distinct, which facilitated a smooth procedure.

Gazing at the blood-filled vial, Hadley offered a silent prayer, hoping the sample would prove valuable.

“Hadley! Hadley! Get up!”

Groggy and disoriented, Hadley flailed her legs. “Ugh, stop bothering me!”

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Chapter 165 I'll Trea