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

Chapter 84 Rosebud Lips

“Nyla...”

Hadley’s face was blank, devoid of any emotion. She slowly shook her head. “I'm done with Eric.”

Nyla froze, a chill running through her.

She’d heard those words before.

The last time, Hadley had cto the sanatorium, saying the sthing-pleading for Nyla to support her

decision to divorce.

Back then, Nyla had thought Hadley was holding back, burdened by things she couldn't voice.

“Are you scared, Hadley?” Nyla asked softly. “Scared he'll slip back into his old habits? That he'll push you away

again?”

She exhaled a soft, steady breath before adding, “It won't happen. This time's different. It’s notasking for it-

Eric’s the one making the choice. You know how he is. Once he’s set on something, nothing can sway him. If he

promises something, you can count on him to follow through.”

Hadley believed that with every part of her.

When his brother had the accident, Eric had been there, unwavering by his hospital bed, swearing that from then

on, Linda would be his responsibility.

And he had kept that vow, without fail.

But even so, Hadley couldn’t bring herself to agree. “That's not my concern.”

“Then what is?”

Hadley managed a small, bitter smile. She'd already said this before, so all she could do was repeat herself

again. “I just... | don’t love him anymore.”

Nyla was speechless, caught off guard for a moment.

If Hadley had only said it once or twice, Nyla might have written it off as pride or the fear of being hurt again.

But this time, there was no denying it.

Eric had made his position clear-he was retracting the divorce. If Hadley still cared for him, she’d have jumped at

the chance to fix things, not shut him out completely.

“You...” Nyla hesitated, her words hanging in the air. “Hadley, are you really sure?”

“Yeah,” Hadley said, nodding firmly. “I’m sure.”

“How can you say that?” Nyla’s voice trembled with confusion. “You've loved him since you were fifteen.”

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Chapter 84 Rosebud Lips

Back then, all she ever talked about was Eric. The whole Flynn family knew how much she adored him.

“I did,” Hadley replied, a wistful smile crossing her face as she shook her head. “But Nyla, even the most intense

love... it fades during those four years, eventually.”

Nyla’s chest tightened, caught off guard.

Hadley’s voice was steady, almost detached. “Looking back, I'm not even sure | ever loved him, not the way |

thought | did.”

“What?” Nyla’s words stumbled out, her disbelief clear.

“I was too young to understand what love really meant,” Hadley whispered, her gaze distant. “You always talked

about how you wantedto be your granddaughter-in-law. | convinced myself that was enough to make me

love him.”

“Hadley...” Nyla’s face drained of color.

Hadley wasn't just rejecting Eric-she was erasing every trace of love she'd ever felt for him.

“So, Nyla.” Hadley exhaled deeply, pressing her lips together as if searching for the right words. “Divorce is the

only option for me. It’s the only choice that makes sense.”

In that moment, Nyla realized there was really no more room for argument.

She sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. “I understand.*

With a tender motion, she reached up and gently tucked a loose strand of Hadley’s hair behind her ear. “Don’t

worry. | may have spoken for him today, but that’s where | draw the line.”

Hadley blinked, caught off guard, her gaze fixed on Nyla in stunned silence.

“What's with that expression?” Nyla laughed softly, playfully pinching Hadley’s cheek. “I meant it. | want you to

have a good life-a happy, fulfilling one.”

Hadley felt a lump in her throat, her nose tingling with emotion. “Thank you, Nyla.”

“Ah, you silly girl. What's there to thankfor?”

Nyla let go of her hand, exhaling quietly. “Why don’t you head to the kitchen? See if breakfast is ready.”

“Alright.”

Hadley stood and walked toward the kitchen.

The moment Hadley was out of earshot, Nyla’s smile vanished. Her face shifted, hardening with resolve, and her

voice dropped to a whisper. “You can step out now.”

The terrace curtain was pulled back, and Eric stepped into the room. He had been hiding there for a while now.

This had been the plan-Nyla would speak to Hadley. But she’d only agreed to speak on his behalf once. After

that, the rest was on him.

Good or bad, the outcwas his to face.

Nyla glanced at her grandson. “Did you hear everything?”

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Chapter 84 Rosebud Lips

“Yes.” Eric’s face remained unreadable, betraying no hint of emotion.

Nyla exhaled, a deep, heavy sigh. “Then it’s tto move on.”

“Grandma.” Eric's hands clenched into fists, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “I can’t.”

“What?” Nyla’'s voice shook with disbelief as she turned sharply toward her grandson. “What do you mean you

can’t? We agreed on this! You heard Hadley-she doesn’t want any part of it! You of all people should know that

forced love never works!”

He had married Hadley against his own wishes once before.

And looking how that turned out. Was it ever truly happy?

The mention of the past darkened Eric's expression, the mood shifting with a coldness that lingered.

“Eric,” Nyla said, grabbing his hand with a pleading grip. “Please, don’t do this. It's not right.”

Seeing his grandmother so upset, Eric chuckled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Grandma, why are you so

worried? | won't hurt her.”

How could he bear to hurt the woman he desired?

“Good to hear. | can never bear to see her get hurt,” Nyla said with a relieved breath. “Hadley’s a fine woman.

The more | get to know her, the more | like her.”

Eric's lips twitched into the smallest of smiles. “She is.”

Breakfast was served, but while Eric cto the table, Nyla stayed away.

“Have you seen Nyla?” Hadley asked, pushing a plate toward him.

Eric pulled out a chair and settled in, taking a slow sip of his coffee. “She wasn’t feeling well, so she went back

upstairs. Kira’s bringing her breakfast later.”

Hadley nodded, though a flicker of doubt crossed her eyes.

Nyla had seemed fine just moments ago. Perhaps she was still feeling the effects of her recovery, or maybe she

was simply exhausted from attending to her flowers.

Hadley sat across from Eric, unsure of how to begin.

“Um...”

Before she could speak, Eric reached across the table and held something up to her.

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“What?”

Hadley blinked, her large eyes filled with confusion, unsure of what he meant.

A soft chuckle escaped Eric. “What, you don’t recognize it? Isn't this how you like it? Say ‘ah.””

Hadley looked down, her gaze drifting to the piece of baguette he held, dipped in creamy mushroom soup.

Her heart jolted in her chest.

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Chapter 84 Rosebud Lips

Yes, she remembered how much she liked it this way-back when she still lived with the Flynns.

For a moment, she was lost in thought. He... actually remembered?

“Quick. Open your mouth,” Eric said, his impatience clear. “My arm’s getting tired.”

“Uh...” Hadley felt a flush of awkwardness. She quickly waved her hand. “No, it’s okay. | can manage on my

own-"

“I said, open your mouth!” Eric interrupted, his tone suddenly firm, his face darkening.

In the kitchen, Kira glanced over at them, sighing quietly. Eric really had no clue when it cto courting a

woman.

So forceful! What woman would appreciate that?

With no other choice, Hadley hesitated before reluctantly parting her lips.

The piece of bread was so large, it nearly filled her entire mouth.

“Too much?” Eric studied her carefully, noticing the slight discomfort. “Okay, I'll cut it smaller next time.”

His gaze dropped to her lips, his voice softening to a near murmur. “Such a tiny mouth! Your lips are so...

delicate.”

So, this was probably what people meant by “rosebud lips.” The phrase had to have been invented for her.

Hadley fought to chew and swallow, finally managing to speak. “Eric, aboutgoing back to Galant-"

“One more.”

Another piece of bread hovered near her lips.

Eric's gaze never left her face, waiting. “This one’s smaller.”

Reluctantly, Hadley parted her lips again.

As she chewed, Eric's voice dropped unexpectedly. “Hadley, I'll take care of you from now on. | promise.”

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