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

Chapter 21 Falling Into His
Arms
“What?”
A gasp escaped Hadley, her shock was evident. The courthouse had already shut its doors?
She hadn’t planned this delay. Despite walking miles in search of a taxi, it was only near downtown that she managed to hail
one.
Yet, she still arrived late.
Suddenly, darkness enveloped her vision.
Despite her struggle to maintain her balance, Hadley’s legs gave way. Her eyes closed as she fell forward. directly towards Eric.
He barely managed to catch her, stumbling as her weight pressed into his arms.
“Hey!”
Surprised, Eric’s hands reflexively supported her.
“Hadley!”
His voice was sharp, his frustration evident as he uttered her name.
She had vowed to stop playing tricks, yet here she was, literally collapsing into his arms. Anger surged within Eric, convinced
that this was just another one of Hadley’s typical maneuvers.
She had to have timed her tardiness today deliberately!
“Hadley, stand up this instant!”
Yet, there was no reaction from the figure limp in his arms.
A sense of urgency crept into Eric’s voice. “Hadley? Can you hear me? Wake up!”
But Hadley remained unresponsive.

“I swear,
if
you don’t get up, I’ll...”
Eric began to push her away, but halted abruptly. Observing her ashen face, he realized she wasn’t pretending. she had
genuinely lost consciousness.
“Hadley! What’s happened to you?”
Panic seized Eric.
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Acting on instinct, he lifted Hadley effortlessly, hurried to his car, and drove swiftly to the nearest hospital
In the emergency room, Eric inquired anxiously, “Doctor, how is she doing?”
The doctor responded after finishing his examination, “She’s experiencing severe menstrual cramps. It’s common, but her case
is particularly intense.
While looking over at Eric, the doctor questioned, “She’s quite young Why are these symptoms so severe for
her?”
At that, Eric could only offer a helpless shrug
Why would he know that? He wasn’t the doctor here!

The doctor continued, “Menstrual cramps can be quite serious, especially when they’re as intense as hers. She should undergo
a comprehensive examination once she regains consciousness to determine the underlying
cause.”
“Understood,” Eric replied, his brow furrowed in concern.
“Here’s a prescription for her,” the doctor added, handing it over.
“Thanks.”
Taking the prescription, Eric left to handle the payment and retrieve Hadley’s medication.
“Did Hadley ever get cramps before?” Eric wondered. But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t recall a single time.
All he could remember was her frequent complaints and dependency on him.
Back in the emergency room, Hadley had regained consciousness. She grimaced from pain as she dressed and gathered her
belongings.
“Hey,” a nurse interjected as Hadley attempted to leave. “Your boyfriend is picking up y wait here for him.”
Boyfriend?
Hadley hesitated. Could that be Eric?
medication. Please
She recalled being with him just before losing consciousness, but she questioned whether he would actually be so nice and bring
her to the hospital.
Regardless, it didn’t seem important at the moment.
“Understood, thank you,” Hadley responded, choosing not to trouble the nurse further. “I’ll wait outside”
“Okay then.” The nurse moved on without further inquiry.
Hadley didn’t linger. Hoisting her bag onto her shoulder and clutching her sore abdomen, she exited the hospital.

Meanwhile, Eric had just collected the medications and was on his way back when his phone vibrated.
It was Nyla calling.
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Chapter 21 Falling into His Arms
“Hello, Grandma.”
“Eric.” Nyla’s voice sounded weary, as if she had just woken up
I’ve just recalled something important. Today marks the airsery of Halley’s garters geing, We ought to honor her memory. I’m
ashamed I totally forget, Nya regles, extating doorsy.
“Eric, can you find the time to accompany Hadley? ‘e been four years since ste bat bestelber getmotter’s grave”
“What?”
The news took Eric by surprise.
He moistened his dry lips before inquiring, “Grandma, where is her andmother’s seating place
“You don’t remember? We’ve visited together before. It’s at Kingsby
Oh no!
A wave of realization washed over Eric. Hadley had told the truth. She really had gone to Kingjody today to visit her
grandmother’s grave.

“Eric, are you listening?”
“I heard you, Grandma.”
Nyla let out another sigh. “Hadley might have been a bit indulgent before, but she was just a child utawe of her ways. She’s
changed a lot since returning, she’s matured. Treat her kindly, Eric. She only has us now.”
“Grandma, I need to hang up now.”
Eric quickly ended the call as he arrived at the emergency room to pick up Hadley.
He yanked the curtain aside, only to stop dead in his tracks.
The bed was empty. Hadley had disappeared.
“Where did she go?”
Eric asked the nurse.
The nurse appeared confused. “She mentioned she’d wait outside. Didn’t you run into her?”
Eric’s smile held no warmth.
“If I had seen her, do you think I would be asking? Eric thought to himself
His expression hardened, and his jaw tightened. “She was a patient! And you allowed her to leave? If anything happens to her,
it’s on this hospital!”
“Sir, I...” the nurse said, her eyes brimming with tears.
Frustrated, Eric left in a hurry, dialing Hadley’s number as he stormed out.
She didn’t answer.
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Chapter 21 Fating into His Arms
Could she be upset, deliberately ignoring his calls? Or perhaps she had collapsed again and couldn’t respond?
Perplexed, Eric decided to drive back to Silver Villas to see if Hadley had returned there.
During the drive, be called Phillips.
Mhe. Flynn, how can I assist?”
“Check for any incidents in Kingsbridge today.”
Phillips responded promptly. “There’s no need to check. I’m aware of the situation. The overpass near Kingsbodge collapsed
earlier today. Rescue teams are still managing the aftermath as we speak.”
That explained the situation.
fric shut his eyes, feeling a wave of remorse. Hadley hadn’t been deceptive. She truly had been stuck in Kingsbridge today!
Then how did she manage to reach the courthouse today?
He recalled his own harsh words-“You’d better be on your way, even if it means crawling here!”
Visions of her outside the courthouse, wet and muddy, flashed through his mind. Had she taken his words. literally and crawled
to the courthouse?
At that moment, Eric’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his jaw clenched.
He didn’t like her, but he had never meant to be so harsh with her.
Accelerating, he pushed the car faster.
Upon arriving at Silver Villas, the living room was dim, creating an almost eerie atmosphere. Eric entered swiftly.
The sofa was empty. Had Hadley not returned? Where else could she be?
Then, footsteps resonated. Glancing up, Eric saw Hadley, dressed in clean clothes, stepping out of the bathroom. She had
obviously just showered.

She was here after all. What a relief!
Eric exhaled, though his face still held a stern expression as he spoke sharply. “Hadley, do you think this is a game? Leaving
without a word? Making me look for you everywhere?”
Hadley gave no response.
Too weary to engage, she had no desire to exchange words with him.
The idea of him worrying about her? It was laughable. Even if she were right in front of him, he’d likely just ignore her presence.
She moved to the sofa without a glance his way, spread out a blanket, lay down, and turned away from him. She had to perform
at Galant by nine that night and needed her rest now.
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