Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You can’t afford me now

Chapter 1003:

She met him downstairs and got in his car.

“This isn’t the place to talk,” Eric said gently. “Let’s grab a table somewhere quiet.”

Hadley remained silent, avoiding his eyes.

They ended up at a small diner. Eric led her to a corner booth.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?” he asked. “You like the pancakes here.”

But Hadley didn’t soften. She folded her arms, her voice flat. “Now that we’re here, just say what you need to about Joy.”

It was as if even one more second in his company was unbearable.

Eric was silent for a moment, then reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small velvet box and held it in his hand.

Slowly, he stood and knelt down on one knee in front of her.

What on earth was Eric doing?

Hadley was so stunned she nearly leapt from her chair.

“Hadley.” Eric gently pushed her back down. “Just sit.”

Her brows furrowed, confusion and disbelief clouding her eyes.

Then Eric opened the velvet box. Nestled inside was the red diamond ring he had custom-made—for this very moment.

He took it out, cradling it carefully, and looked up at her with quiet hope in his gaze.

“Hadley, marry me. Let’s get married.”

The words hit her like a wave. She froze, lips slightly parted in silent shock.

Eric, meanwhile, offered a shy, almost sheepish smile.

“I was planning something more elaborate,” he admitted. “A grand proposal. But things didn’t go as expected, and… this is the best I could do right now. But I promise—no matter how simple this moment is, the wedding will be exactly how you want it.”

𝖂𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖘 𝖇𝖊𝖌𝖆𝖓 → g𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀ꞏ𝖼𝗈𝗆

As he spoke, he reached for her hand, the ring ready in his other.noveldrama

“What are you doing?” Hadley jerked her hand away as though burned, her voice sharp. Her eyes widened with disbelief. “Are you out of your mind? Marriage? Us? That’s insane.”

“Insane?” Eric slowly lowered his hand, his dark gaze steady. “You don’t want to?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Hadley exhaled, a bitter laugh escaping her as she shook her head. His proposal was utterly baffling. “You’ve known for years I don’t love you. I haven’t for a long time. If it weren’t for Joy, I wouldn’t be involved with you at all—we wouldn’t even be speaking.”

Her voice hardened. “And even if we didn’t have history—after you chose Linda over me in a life-or-death moment, I could never be with you.”

Eric said nothing. He simply looked at her, calm and unshaken.

“You will,” he said gently. “You’ll say yes.”

Hadley stared at him, confused. “What? Why would I—I”

“For Joy.” His voice was low, deliberate. “You’ll do it for her.”

Her breath caught. Her eyes locked on his, searching his expression, dread creeping in. “You… You don’t mean—”

“I do.” Eric nodded slowly, his face composed. “Marry me, and I’ll save Joy. If not…”

His jaw clenched. He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t have to. Hadley’s entire body trembled. A coldness spread through her, sinking into her bones.

“No,” she whispered, voice shaking. “I don’t believe it. Joy’s your daughter. You love her.”

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