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

Chapter 1004:

“If you doubt me,” Eric said, lifting his hand to brush her cheek, “try me. See if I’m bluffing.”

The chill in his words sent her reeling. She sprang to her feet, shoved him back, and slapped him across the face.

“You bastard!” Tears welled in her eyes as she screamed, her voice raw with emotion. “She’s your daughter! Your flesh and blood! You already failed her once—couldn’t even give her a healthy body—and now you’re threatening me with her life?”

Eric didn’t flinch.noveldrama

The slap left a red mark, but he remained silent, unwavering. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I’m a bastard. But you—you’re a good mother. That’s why you’ll do it. For her.”

Her fury surged again. She slapped him a second time, harder.

Still, Eric didn’t move. “Hit me all you want. I deserve it.”

Hadley staggered back, choking on a sob. Her shoulders shook as tears poured down her face.

“Why?” she cried, voice trembling. “Why are you doing this to me?” Her gaze was full of pain and rage. “When you hated me, you exiled me without mercy. And now that you want me, you’re using our daughter as leverage. Why are you putting me through this?” Her voice cracked. Her eyes blazed with hatred.

“I hate you, Eric! I hate you!”

Eric’s chest tightened at her words, but he didn’t let it show. If her resentment was the price of keeping her around, he would pay it. “Hadley…” He remained on one knee, took her hand once more, and raised the red diamond ring toward her trembling finger. “Marry me.”

Tears streamed down Hadley’s face as she looked at him. Slowly, Eric slid the ring onto her finger.

In that moment, she felt the weight of it—felt it clamp around more than just her hand. It was binding her future, sealing her fate.

𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁: 𝗀⍺𝗅☼𝗇𝗈☼ν𝖊☼𝗅𝘀☼ⅽ𝗈☼𝗆

She lowered her gaze, her tears falling harder.

“It fits perfectly,” Eric murmured. “Red suits you. It matches your skin tone beautifully.”

He looked up and saw her sobbing uncontrollably. His expression softened.

“Hadley.” He stood and pulled her into his arms, whispering into her ear, “We’re meant to be. We have Joy. This is our fate.”

She didn’t respond. Her jaw clenched, her eyes swollen and silent.

What more was there to say?

“Don’t cry,” Eric whispered, cupping her face and wiping away her tears. “Your eyes are puffy. I’ll ask the waiter for some ice. You’ll need it—can’t go to work later with those swollen eyes, can you?”

As he spoke, he turned and waved his hand, signaling a waiter to come over.

Within moments, a waiter arrived. “Mr. Flynn, how can I assist you?”

“I need some ice. Right away, please.”

Hadley watched in silence, heart heavy. How could someone be so cruel and calculating, yet pretend to be so gentle? Eric was using the dirtiest tactics—under the guise of care.

She closed her eyes, as if sinking into a bottomless abyss.

By the time she’d finished icing her eyes, the meal had arrived.

“Do you have Twitter?” Eric asked casually as he arranged her food.

Hadley blinked, confused. “Yes.”

She hadn’t used it before moving to Srixby, but after joining the dance troupe, she’d created an account to help promote performances from time to time. Other than that, she rarely logged in.

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