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

hapter 219 Why Wouldn't She Just Admit It

A few beats of silence passed before Ernest let out a quiet, helpless sigh. “It’s not that | don’t want to.”

Then, after a moment of contemplation, he gave a small nod. “Alright, let's go with your decision... let's get

married.”

Linda froze, caught off guard by the words she had been waiting for years to hear. For a moment, she simply

stared at Ernest, as if unsure whether to believe it. And then-her vision blurred as tears welled up and spilled

over.

Without hesitation, Ernest stepped forward, reaching for her hand. His voice softened as he gently reassured her.

“Don’t cry... | only have you. No one else.”

“Really?” Linda whispered, her voice fragile, uncertain.

“Yes, | swear it.”

Nyla, watching the exchange, clapped her hands together, laughing joyfully. “Wonderful! Now, we finally have a

good reason to celebrate!”

The joy was infectious-not just for Nyla, but for Eric as well.

Later that evening, back at Silver Villas, Eric's excitement was still impossible to hide.

Hadley observed him curiously, arms crossed as she leaned against the couch. “They're getting married, and

you're this happy?”

Eric didn’t hesitate for a second. “Of course, I'm happy!”

His response was immediate, almost instinctive. “Ernest and Linda grew up together. They've always been close

-they promised to be together for life.”

Hadley studied him, her mind churning with unspoken thoughts.

Was that really it? Could someone love another person so deeply that their only happiness cfrom seeing

them happy with someone else?

Had Eric truly let go of Linda? Or was he just convincing himself that he had?

“What are you thinking about?”

Eric's voice broke through Hadley’s thoughts before she could hide them. With a teasing smirk, he reached out

and flicked her forehead.

“You're overthinking again,” he said playfully. “How many times have I told you-there’s nothing between Linda

and me? And yet, you still don’t believe me.”

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Chapter 219 Why Wouldn't She Just Admit it

Hadley wasn’t convinced. Not completely.

But right now, that wasn’t the biggest mystery on her mind. Something about this whole thing felt off.

Four years ago, Linda had miscarried, and now there were whispers of Ernest's infidelity floating around. Could

they really put all those things behind and walk down the aisle?

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Regardless of what she thought, the wedding proceeded as planned.

As the Flynn family’s eldest grandson, Ernest would continue living at the Flynn Mansion even after the wedding.

There was no need for a new house-just a simple rearrangement of his current living quarters.

Meanwhile, Nyla insisted that every detail of the wedding-from the venue to the dress-be left entirely up to

Linda’s preferences.

After all, a wedding was meant to be the bride's day, and above all else, her happiness was the priority.

But what truly caught Hadley off guard was Linda’s unexpected decision. Instead of working with a renowned

designer, she had publicly announced an open call for submissions to design her wedding dress.

It was a bold move. In reality, the Flynn family could afford the best designers in the world, and with Linda's

standing in the entertainment industry, securing a luxury brand sponsorship would have been effortless.

Yet, she deliberately rejected that option.

Instead, Linda turned the entire process into a public spectacle-launching an open competition and vowing to

select a design that truly spoke to her.

And just like that, even before the wedding was officially confirmed, news of the grand wedding had spread like

wildfire across Srixby.

To Hadley, this didn’t feel like a simple bridal decision.

This was a statement. A challenge. But to whom? Most likely, the other woman Linda had long suspected Ernest

was involved with.

At lunch, Hadley and Elissa sat across from each other, catching up over their meal when Elissa suddenly

scoffed, shaking her head.

“Ernest Flynn is getting married! And to Linda of all people?”

There was an unmistakable edge of sarcasm in her tone-unsurprising, given her past run-ins with Linda.

Hadley took a sip of her drink before responding casually. “Yes, that’s right.”

Elissa clicked her tongue. “Well... let's just say he has very unique taste.”

“Pfft-" Hadley chuckled, shaking her head. “To each their own.”

“Exactly!” Elissa laughed along, but then leaned in slightly. “By the way, | also submitted a design for that

competition.”

Hadley’s brows lifted in surprise. “For the wedding dress?”

“Yep.” Elissa nodded, a playful glint in her eyes. “Why do you look so shocked?” Hadley hesitated before

realization dawned.

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Chapter 219 Why Wouldn't She Just Admit it

Oh... right. She had momentarily forgotten-Elissa had studied fashion design. But in the industry, she was still

just a small, unknown name.

Hadley frowned slightly, concern flickering in her expression. “Aren’t you afraid Linda might cafter you?”

Elissa exhaled, and then grinned. “Of course, | am. But so what? | have to take the chance.”

She pursed her lips, determination flashing in her eyes. “This is an opportunity. What if they actually like my

design? It could finally get my nout there.”

Hadley considered that and nodded. “That's true. At the end of the day, it’s about the work. If she really decides

to target you, it's not like you'll lose anything.”

“Exactly!” Elissa laughed and then leaned back in her chair with a wistful sigh. “I have to admit, though-Linda is

incredibly lucky. The Flynn family-Srixby’s most powerful dynasty. And Ernest...” She smirked slightly. “Well, he is

quite the looker.”

Hadley arched a brow. “Hmm? You've met him?”

“Yeah, | have.” Elissa shot her a knowing look. “Remember last time? When you and Eric had that huge

argument, and he stormed off to your apartment? Ernest was there too.”

Then, as if recalling the moment in vivid detail, she added with a touch of admiration, “He even gavea ride

home. And lettell you-he’s really handsome. Elegant. Refined. The perfect gentleman.”

Hadley made another visit to the clinic-this time, for fertility medication.

She had arranged the appointment discreetly through Colleen’s connections.

Even now, she couldn’t shake the weight of her previous failure. “Doctor, | followed all your instructions, but... |

still didn’t get pregnant.”

The doctor offered a calm, reassuring smile. “Take it easy. Stress is one of the biggest obstacles to conception.

Even with medication, there's never a guarantee.”

“I know.” Hadley nodded, understanding the logic. But how could she not be anxious?

The doctor studied her for a moment before asking, “Do you want to continue the medication?”

“Yes,”

The doctor, unaware of the deeper complexities of Hadley’s situation, offered sgentle advice. “You're still

young. There’s no need to put so much pressure on yourself. You shouldn't rely on this medication too frequently.

It comes with risks-there can be side effects.”

Hadley already knew that. Colleen had warned her as well.

But she had no other choice. She forced a small smile. “I understand. Thank you for your concern-I appreciate

The doctor sighed but didn’t push further, writing the prescription.

“If you experience nausea or dizziness, make sure to get srest.”

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“I will. Thank you, doctor.”

That evening, when Eric returned to Silver Villas, Hadley was waiting for him-this twith a bright, welcoming

smile.

“You're back!” she purred.

Before he could respond, she moved in, slipping her arms around his waist and pressing herself close to him.

Eric took it as an invitation.

His fingers found her waist, his other hand tilting her chin up as he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a deep,

searing kiss.

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The moment ignited too quickly, spiraling out of control before either of them could stop it.

But even in the heat of the moment, Eric didn’t forget to ask. “Are you sure? Can we really do this?” Hadley met

his gaze and nodded without hesitation. “Yes.”

And with that, they headed upstairs...

That night, Hadley was different.

There was an urgency in her, a fire that hadn't been there before. She was more passionate than ever, her touch

unrestrained, her body responding to him in ways that sent Eric spiraling into bliss. Yet, curiosity flickered in his

eyes as he whispered, “Did something happen today?”

Hadley stretched lazily in his arms. “What do you mean?” she murmured, feigning innocence.

Eric let out a low chuckle, burying his face against her neck. “Con, Hadley. It's been a while. You missed me,

didn’t you?”

Hadley closed her eyes, refusing to answer.

But Eric only tightened his hold on her, his voice dipping lower, softer. “You don’t have to say it-I already know.”

He tilted her chin, brushing his lips against her temple. “Hadley, you likea little, don’t you?” Hadley froze.

What led him to that conclusion?

Yet Eric continued his monologue, utterly pleased with himself. “You can’t imagine how happy this makes me!”

After all, wasn’t it commonly said that women were different from men when it cto sex? If a woman didn’t

like a man, she wouldn't initiate intimacy, right?

That logic made perfect sense to him. And the more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.

“Earlier, you nearly devoured me!” He chuckled, his voice teasing.

Wasn't that proof enough that she liked him?

Hadley had no idea what was running through his mind. If she did, she would have immediately corrected him -

women could initiate things even without liking a man.

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< Chapter 219 Why Wouldn't She Just Admit it

For instance... when they were desperate to conceive.

Later in the bathroom, Hadley took the initiative once again.

Eric's gaze darkened slightly, flickering with something unspoken. Why wouldn't she just admit that she liked

him?

The next morning...

At breakfast, Hadley sat across from Eric, casually peeling a hard-boiled egg. She removed the yolk and pushed

it toward him. She never ate egg yolks. He had gotten used to it by now. Without hesitation, Eric took the

offering and ate it.

After swallowing, he wiped his mouth and glanced at her. “You're off this weekend, right?”

Hadley nodded. “Right.” The dance troupe was on a short break, and weekends were usually free.

Eric leaned back slightly, lips curving into a small smirk. “Then let's spend it together! We haven't gone out on a

date in a while!”

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