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

Chapter 232 Isn't That

What Love Looks Like

Eric's bodyguard Xander was on the other end of the line.

From Eric's silence, Xander could tell he was more than just upset; he was truly angry, a sentiment that was not

easily observable.

Lately, Xander had noticed a clear change in the way Eric treated Hadley.

Where once it was Hadley who seemed more eager, the dynamics appeared to have shifted in favor of Eric

pursuing her.

“Mr. Flynn.” Xander couldn't help but offer sadvice. “It’s clear you're upset, but try to be gentle with Hadley.

Women should be treated with care.”

Eric was known for his short fuse, reacting harshly over minor irritations, regardless of who it was-Hadley or

anyone else wouldn't tolerate such behavior for long.

“Moreover...” Xander paused, choosing his words carefully. “You're not in a strong position here.”

“How so?”

Eric’s tone was curiously calm, inviting further explanation.

Xander explained, “Think about it, Denver literally took a knife for her. What do women appreciate? They value

someone who genuinely cares for them. In situations like these, you can’t afford to be seen unfavorably.”

“That's absurd!” Eric replied gruffly. “She’s going back to her ex and | should be okay with it? We'll see if I'm as

forgiving!”

Following the call, Eric felt too unsettled to eat.

He stood up and left Silver Villas, making his way to the hospital.

Silence filled the hospital room.

Hadley had arrived early for a visit, sneaking in before Eric awoke and before her workday began, taking

advantage of the absence of Denver's parents.

“Denver,” Hadley greeted as she set a fruit basket beside his hospital bed. “How was the surgery?”

“Everything went well.” Denver lifted his arm, reassuring her, “There's no nerve damage.” He demonstrated by

moving his fingers.

“That's relieving to hear.”

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Chapter 232 tent That What Love Looks Like

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Hadley let out a relieved sigh.

she then expressed her regrets, saying, “I'm really sorry for leaving abruptly last night. It was inconsiderate.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Denver replied, smiling as he shook his head. “I get it. Eric clearly cares a lot about you.”

He then expressed a lingering concern, asking, “Did things get difficult with Eric afterward? Did you guys end up

fighting?”

“No,” Hadley reassured him with a gentle shake of her head. “Really, don’t worry. I'm doing okay.”

Denver paused for a moment before responding with a relieved smile, his gaze dropping, “That's good to hear.

Really good.”

“Denver.” Hadley got to her feet. “You should rest. I'll leave now.”

“Alright, take care.”

“Goodbye.”

“Goodbye...”

As Hadley turned to leave, she inhaled deeply and reached for the door of the hospital room.

There, in the hallway, stood Eric, his tall fragainst the railing, silently observing her.

Hier heart raced as she saw him, her expression turning into a frown. She approached him, her bag over her

shoulder.

He had followed her here.

In the end, he managed to catch up with her.

She paused right in front of him, drew in a shaky breath, and lifted her gaze to meet his eyes. “We're in a

hospital. Can we step outside to talk?”

“Tine by me.” With an arched brow, Eric turned on his heel and walked ahead without another word.

Seeing his retreating figure made Hadley’s stomach twist nervously. He was clearly unhappy, and the quiet calm

radiating from him only deepened her worry.

She wondered what he might be thinking.

Could this be the end of their relationship?

The thought made her brow crease in anxious helplessness.

Downstairs, his car sat waiting silently. Once they settled inside, neither uttered a single word. The hospital staff

had yet to begin their day, leaving the whole area bathed in silence.

Hadley took a moment before finally breaking the silence. “Denver ended up hurt because of me. If his hand

doesn’t recover fully, | don’t think | could ever forgive myself.”

Beside her, Eric sat in continued silence, not offering a word in reply.

After another brief hesitation, she continued softly, “I cto see him today because | had to know that he was

alright, but that visit will be my last.”

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Chapter 232 Isn't That What Love Looks Like

“Hadley,”

“Hmm?”

Eric suddenly reached out and gently clasped her hand, cutting her off mid-thought.

Caught off guard, Hadley turned quickly to face him.

He was already looking back at her, his eyes brightening with a wide, unexpected smile. “Let's get married.”

Hadley was stunned.

All thoughts scattered from her head instantly.

“You...” she murmured, her lashes fluttering in disbelief. “Could you repeat what you just said?”

“You wantto say it again?”

Eric leaned closer until their foreheads gently touched. “I said, let's get married. Hadley, marry me, won't you?”

What just happened?

Hadley’s lips parted slightly, speechless!

Sneaking off to visit Denver had prepared her for anger or accusations-anything but a proposal of marriage! “Did

you ask the wrong question?” Recovering enough to laugh lightly, Hadley tilted her head slightly and smiled.

“Shouldn’t you be demanding to know why | went to see Denver?”

“You heardright. | didn’t ask wrong either.” Eric squeezed her hand, sighing gently. “I understand you're still

haunted by the separation with Denver. It’s alright-1 accept that.”

Hadley stared at him in stunned silence. Did he really believe that was how she felt?

Even more bewildering, if that was truly his belief, why insist on marriage?

“Eric, marriage isn’t something casual, is it?”

Memories of their earlier marriage crept into her mind.

Hadn't he treated marriage as something trivial back then, too?

“Eric-"

“Hadley.”

Eric cupped her face gently in his hands, sincerity bright in his eyes. “I want to marry you. We'll build a good life

together. Even if your heart belongs to Denver now, marryanyway, and I'll patiently wait until your feelings

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change. Letbe your husband, Hadley.”

In an impulsive move, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

“Stay with me, Hadley. Be my wife and spend your life with me. Will you marry me?”

“Eric...”

His embrace tightened, overwhelming her with unease.

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Chapter 232 Isn't That What Love Looks Like

Fear surged within her, and Hadley pushed gently against his chest. “Eric, please stop. Calm down, okay?”

“I'm perfectly calm.”

Relaxing his grip only slightly, Eric looked at her with confusion. “Do you think I've lost it?”

“You...”

Hadley rubbed her forehead gently, feeling defeated.

Drawing a slow, steady breath, she asked softly, “Letphrase it differently. Eric, do you love me?”

He fell into immediate silence.

“Haha.”

Hadley released a soft, resigned laugh and stepped away from his embrace. “Marriage is about two people loving

each other deeply and wanting a future together. If you can’t even answer whether you love me, how can you

talk about marriage?”

She opened her hands gently, shrugging lightly. “We've made that mistake once already. Do you really think

repeating it will make things better?”

Eric remained silent, his expression darkening.

“It’s fine,” she said reassuringly, assuming he understood her point. “I'll pretend | never heard your proposal,

and you can forget you even said it.”

Glancing toward him, she indicated toward the steering wheel. “Could you dropoff at the dance stufirst?

Then head to your office?”

“Hadley...”

Eric suddenly gripped her wrist, a questioning look shadowing his eyes, much like a puzzled child.

“How am | supposed to prove | truly care for you?”

His brow knitted in quiet contemplation, as though seeking answers from himself. “I give you comfort, good food,

fine clothes, anything you want. Isn’t that what love looks like? Shouldn't it be enough?”

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