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

Chapter 108 Finalize The

Divorce

Eric’s seemingly gentle smile didn’t fool Nyla for a second; she knew too well that it masked his discontent.

“Eric!” Nyla’s voice dropped to a whisper, and she gave him a subtle shake of her head, a clear warning not to

make a scene.

Eric frowned, frustration simmering. Instead of snapping, he let out a short laugh. Was Nyla seriously worried

about what he might do?

The tension in the room thickened evidently.

Hadley and Denver sensed the atmosphere shift and rose from their seats.

“Mrs. Flynn,” Denver said with a grateful smile. “Thank you for the dinner. It's getting late, and we should be

going ”

“You're leaving already?” Nyla responded, turning back to block Eric's approach with a forced smile. “I thought

you'd keepcompany for a little longer.”

“It’s late,” Hadley added, standing beside Denver. “I'll cby another time.”

With the evening wearing on and the air charged with tension, Nyla chose not to hold them back.

She nodded. “Alright then, Denver... just make sure Hadley gets hwithout any trouble.”

“Don’t worry,” Denver replied assuredly.

“Goodbye, Nyla,” Hadley chimed in, turning to leave.

Denver offered his hand to her.

Noticing this, Hadley paused, aware that Eric's eyes were fixed on them.

After a slight hesitation, she accepted his hand with a smile. “Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

Together, they exited hand in hand.

Eric, left behind, scoffed sharply, “Grandma, they've left. Can you releasenow?”

Reluctantly, Nyla loosened her grip, her expression filled with concern. “Eric, are you really okay?”

Eric dismissed her concern with a shrug. “What could be wrong?”

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His tone belied his words, revealing his true feelings.

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“You...”

Nyla sighed, touching his forehead gently. “I see your pain, Eric. You've tried so hard for Hadley lately.”

A bitter chuckle escaped Eric. “You noticed, huh?”

“Eric.” Nyla’s voice softened, a sadness in her tone. “Let it go. Hadley has moved on with Denver, and they seem

happy.”

Even Nyla was advocating for Hadley and Denver?

Eric suppressed his frustration, responding lightly, “I’m not planning anything against them. Why this fuss?”

“Is that the truth?” Nyla eyed him doubtfully.

“It is.” Eric confirmed with a slight chuckle.

“What else can | do? Should | waste my days longing for her? She’s not worth that much.”

Nyla acknowledged his point with a nod. “Alright, Eric. It appears you never had deep feelings for Hadley.

Perhaps you're simply bothered that she now prefers someone else.”

Startled by her suggestion, Eric reflected.

“Is that so? Grandma, are you suggesting that my feelings for Hadley are just because... she chose someone else

over me?”

Nyla gave a serious nod. “Yes, | believe that’s the case. If not, why haven't you shown any interest in her over

these years?”

Eric stood speechless, taken aback.

“Twill heal this, and you'll be fine. Unlike you, Denver has a genuine affection for Hadley.”

Continuing her thoughts with a sigh, Nyla added, “I do hope they stay together. It would mean that all the care

I've put into raising Hadley wasn’t for nothing, and I'd fulfill the promise | made to her grandmother.”

Later that night, the warm streams of the shower washed over Eric’s scarred back as he stood there, eyes shut.

The echo of Nyla’s words lingered in his head.

“You've never truly loved Hadley.”

“You're simply bothered that she now prefers someone else.”

“If not, why haven't you shown any interest in her over these years?”

Reflecting on her words, he muttered internally, “Could that be true? Yes, that’s it exactly. There's no other

explanation.”

It was the weekend, and Eric was not expecting company.

Descending the stairs, he halted in surprise at the sight of Hadley conversing with Nyla.

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“Eric?” Nyla gestured at him closer as he approached. “Good timing. We need to talk about something

important.”

“What's on your mind?”

Eric, settling into the couch, began to peel a tangerine from the nearby fruit platter.

Nyla wasted no time. “It’s tyou and Hadley arranged a date to officially finalize your divorce.”

Eric's actions paused mid-peel.

His eyes shot up, connecting with Hadley’s.

Could this be the reason for her early morning visit?

Hadley, catching his gaze, nodded gently. In a soft voice, she said, “Yes, as I've agreed with Nyla. I'm moving

forward with my life with Denver, so we need to finalize our divorce, Eric.”

“Agreed.” Nyla was quick to stress the urgency. “We must handle this swiftly. If the Moran family learns the

divorce hasn't been finalized, it could lead to complications!”

She fixed a stern gaze on Eric. “Decide on a date today, Eric. | won't forgive you if you jeopardize Hadley’s

future!”

Initially, Nyla was against an immediate divorce because she wanted to ensure that Eric would continue to look

after Hadley until after she found someone new, but now, that was unnecessary.

“Understood,” Eric responded, pulling out his phone.

Nyla continued, “The sooner, the better.”

Feeling the pressure, irritation began to show on Eric's face as he answered somewhat dismissively, “Monday

morning then.”

“Monday morning? Is that not going to conflict with your work?” Nyla asked, slightly worried.

“It will be fine.” Eric assured her, shaking his head. “Arriving a bit late won't cause any problems.”

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“Good,” Nyla responded, sounding satisfied. She turned to Hadley, patting her hand gently. “All set then. Does

that ease your mind?”

“Thank you, Nyla.”

Hadley offered a grateful smile, her mind not fully at ease until the divorce was official.

“Nyla, I should get going,” she said, rising from her seat. She added with a hint of bashfulness, “Denver and |

have plans.”

With a knowing smile, Nyla responded playfully, “Well then, | shouldn't hold you up. Go on, don’t make D wait.”

“Yes.”

Nyla then walked Hadley to the door and waved her goodbye.

Eric, still sitting, had just eaten a piece of the tangerine he had peeled.

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< Chapter 108 Finalize The Divorce

He grimaced as he chewed, saying, “What's with this tangerine? It’s sour like vinegar!”

On Monday morning, Denver had taken a personal day to drive Hadley from West Twelfth Alley to the courthouse,

honoring her request.

The memory of her uneasy walk back from Kingsbridge lingered, heightening Hadley’s anxiety about potential

complications.

Moreover, Hadley was concerned that Eric might have a change of mind again at the last moment. Denver's

presence would be reassuring.

They pulled up to the courthouse, and Denver reached over to help Hadley with her seatbelt, softly inquiring,

“Should | cin with you?”

“No, I've got this.” Hadley gave a small wave of dismissal.

“Okay,” Denver said gently, before adding softly, “But don’t forget-I'm just one call away. I'll stay right here.”

“Thanks.”

Hadley steadied herself with a breath before stepping outside the car into the cool air.

Across from her, Eric was climbing out of his vehicle as well.

It was a familiar scene, echoing their shared path from four years earlier.

Back then, they had walked together toward a new beginning.

Now, each step took them closer to goodbye.