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.

رقصم ||| 19:13 < < Chapter 21 Falling Into His Arms 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.

18.4% D 19:14 ||| O < 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 tto 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.