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

Chapter 20 Walked To The Courthouse The call went unanswered, leaving Hadley hanging.

Worry etched her face as she speculated that Eric was likely caught up in a work-related lunch or meeting.

What were her options? All she could do was wait.

As the minutes ticked away, it was suddenly two-thirty. Only thirty minutes remained until her appointment with Eric.

Her phone buzzed abruptly-it was Eric.

"Hello?" she answered quickly, her voice edged with stress.

"You were trying to get in touch?" Eric's voice carried a lightness, perhaps from the anticipation of finally resolving their ties. Apologizing for his earlier unavailability, he said, "Got tied up, sorry." Then he quickly changed the subject. “Are you at the courthouse already? Just wait there, I'm on my way." Interrupting him, a rush of guilt in her tone, Hadley exclaimed, “Eric!" Hadley stammered, "I'm really sorry, but I can't make it today... Can we reschedule for tomorrow? Just one day delay. I promise I'll be there, on time!" Eric was silent initially.

Then, with a cutting laugh, he let his irritation show. "You're still playing games, Hadley? How long do you intend to keep this up?" "It's not like that..." His tone becbiting, dismissing her explanation. "From day one, my feelings about you haven't changed, Hadley. Wake up.

"I truly can't make it," Hadley insisted, feeling the futility of the conversation. "Something's cup. I'm stuck, really stuck, not far from Kingsbridge. It's a mess here, and it's not justcaught in it." What was she doing in Kingsbridge anyways? It sounded like just another excuse.

"Really? That's just perfect," Eric scoffed, disbelieving every word from Hadley.

He was unmoved by her predicament. "I'm not interested in where you're stuck. You'd better be on your way. even if it means crawling here. We're finalizing this divorce today, no more delays!" 0.0% 19:13 O Chapter 20 Walked To The Courthouse With those harsh words, Eric ended the call.

"Hello?" Hadley's voice echoed faintly against the disconnect tone.

She stood, phone in hand, grappling with her reality.

His message was unmistakable-she had to make it, no matter what.

With the roads blocked and no movement in sight, Hadley realized her only option was to set out on foot.

She couldn't help but let out a rueful laugh. Surely, walking was preferable to crawling.

Resigned, Hadley grabbed her bag and stepped off the bus into the cold embrace of the rain.

She raised her hand to shield her face, but it was futile.

The relentless rain showed no signs of stopping, and without an umbrella, Hadley was at its mercy.

What else was there to do but walk? Teeth clenched in determination, Hadley pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head, hoping it would offer sprotection from the rain.

Yet, it did little to shield her.

The relentless downpour quickly drenched her, the hood clinging to her head like a soaked cloth.

All the while, pain throbbed in her lower abdomen.

She placed a hand over it, pushing through the discomfort with fierce resolve.

After a thirty-minute slog, Hadley reached the area of the collapsed overpass, completely wet.

The scene was chaotic: police blockades, firefighters amidst debris, and a line of ambulances.

"Stop right there!" a traffic officer called out to her.

"This road is closed for clearing operations!" Understanding the situation, Hadley managed a strained smile and responded, "I understand, but it's urgent. I promise to keep out of the way and not cause any trouble. I just need to pass through." The officer looked her over. "You're soaked through. Where did you trek from?” "From Kingsbridge." "Really?" His eyebrows climbed his forehead in astonishment. "You walked that whole distance?" "Yes," Hadley answered, clasping her hands in earnest. "It's urgent, officer. My child's at halone, and I'm quite worried." "What about the father?" Laughing nervously, her eyelashes fluttered as she responded, "It's just me. I'm doing it on my own." The officer hesitated, and then sighed deeply.

"Alright, go through," he replied, gesturing her forward.

"Thank you so much, officer!" 21.2% 19:13 Chapter 20 Walked To The Courthouse "Make it quick," he responded, shifting the barrier to allow her passage before swiftly closing it behind her. Hadley then checked her phone for directions. It would be a long walk to the courthouse, at least two and a half hours away.

Tightening her jaw, she continued her walk, eyes scanning for a taxi ahead. The prospect of paying for a ride bothered her. Nevertheless, today Hadley was set on ending her marriage to Eric.

Eric was in his car, glancing at his watch repeatedly. The thad already advanced to five o'clock.

Hadley was still nowhere in sight! She had made him wait for two whole hours! In frustration, Eric spun his phone in his palm before decisively pressing the screen to dial her number.

"Hello." "Hadley!" Eric's voice crackled with exasperation. "Are you messing around?" "I'm sorry," Hadley replied. "I'll be there soon. Just a little longer, okay?" "Longer?" Eric let out a derisive laugh. “Alright, I'll wait.” He was eager to hear what sort of excuse Hadley would concoct this time.

Minutes passed, and finally Hadley's call broke the silence.

Breathing heavily, she said, "I'm here! Where are you?" "Are you actually here?" Eric questioned, scanning the surroundings through his window.

A yellow taxi pulled up at the courthouse, depositing Hadley on the curb. She hurried looked around. "Can you see me, or have you gone inside already?" aked the driver and

"I'm watching you. Stay right there," Eric instructed, disconnecting the m call. He seized his black umbrella, e seized exited his car, and walked towards Hadley, using the umbrella to fend off the relentless rain. Drenched, with her clothing sticking to her skin and mud smeared on her, Hadley appeared before him. Eric's face showed clear signs of displeasure.

"Did you just roll in the mud?" Eric blurted out.

"Let's just go," Hadley responded, delaying her reply. She wiped her nose and whispered, "Let's go. This won't ruin the divorce proceedings." "Hadley!" Reacting instinctively, Eric reached out and seized her arm.

"What's this about?" Hadley's reaction was as if his touch burned her as she twisted away sharply. Her eyes flashed with fury.

"Don't touch me! How many times must I say it?" she hissed.

53.3% 19:13 ||| O < Chapter 20 Walked to The Courthouse Taken aback, Eric froze, startled by the intensity of her response. It was that familiar expression of Hadley's, the one she reserved for moments when he invaded her personal space.

A blend of fear, disgust, and adamant defiance was painted across her face.

Could she possibly detest him? A lump formed in Eric's throat. A profound sorrow and discomfort settled heavily in his heart, a feeling he couldn't dismiss.

He lashed out, his tone laden with frustration. "Hadley, what's with you and being touched? What eng I done hawith you to deserve this? What's wrong with you? You know what? You should probably go see a doctor!" Pressing her hand to her abdomen, Hadley felt the cramps intensify, exacerbated by the rain and her hurried pace to the courthouse, She grew paler, her lips forming a thin, strained line.

"Whatever problems I have will not matter to you soon," she replied, nodding firmly. "We'll have our divorce finalized shortly, and then it's all over."

Eric's response was a sharp, scornful chuckle, his gaze narrowing as he scrutinized her. You're just saying that because you know we can't finalize the divorce today, aren't you?" "What?" Hadley stared at him, bewildered.

"You're feigning ignorance," Eric retorted, his look dismissive. "Arriving just as the courthouse shuts? Clearly, you're scheming to prolong this divorce, aren't you?" mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1