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

Chapter 862:

The past was past. But it wasn’t erased nor undone.

“Should I say you’ve got a convenient memory? Or are you just pretending you’ve gone blank?” Hadley paused and let out another laugh, melancholic this time. “Alright then. Let me remind you. Back then, you only had eyes for Linda. When she lost her baby, you stayed with her day and night. How exactly did you have time for me?”

Suddenly, Eric remembered.

Back then, Hadley had gone to the hospital to find him. But he hadn’t seen her.

A scene flickered in his mind. She had chased after his car, and he had kept driving. He remembered now. It had been raining, and she had slipped. Maybe even fallen.

It had happened a long time ago, but the memory felt fresh, as if it had been only yesterday.

Eric’s chest tightened, and his fingertips stung like they were being pricked by needles.

“The day you came to see me… it was to tell me…”

Hadley met his gaze and answered, “Yes.”noveldrama

Though her voice was calm and steady, it landed like a thunderclap to him.

Eric closed his eyes and said nothing.

“After that…” Hadley tilted her chin up, her expression fierce and unyielding. “I begged you. I asked to stay in Srixby for just one more day because I was feeling unwell…”

Her eyes began to glisten, and she continued, “Joy hasn’t been in good health since she came into this world. I don’t know if it was because I got sick from the rain that day.”

The weight of the past pressed hard against her chest.

gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․cо𝗺, your storytelling home

“And what happened after I got to Blathe? You never called. Not once. You left me alone in a strange city to fend for myself for four whole years!”

Hadley gritted her teeth, and her lips trembled as she spoke. “Am I stubborn? Maybe I am. But you tossed me aside like I didn’t matter. So how could I believe you’d ever accept my child or take any responsibility?”

Eric’s expression shattered. He looked as if someone had ripped his tongue out, leaving him speechless.

Suddenly, Hadley let out a bitter laugh. “I’m your legal wife. But to you, I was just a burden. Something you could throw away whenever it suited you.”

Burden.

Eric’s eyes widened. It felt like something was drilling into his skull. He remembered now. He had said all those harsh words right to her face.

Back then, Linda had lost her child, and his brother had fallen into a coma—no one knew if he would ever wake up.

At the time, all the pressure had seemed like a valid reason to justify his actions. But now, facing Hadley and Joy, it felt like a flimsy excuse.

A lump rose in his throat. His lips parted, but nothing came out. His chest ached. His heart was heavy. Every part of him throbbed with regret. Even the smallest movement stung.

“Hadley…”

The moment he tried to speak, she stood up, ready to leave.

“Hadley!” Eric jumped to his feet and grabbed her hand. “Where are you going?”

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