Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me Now

"Someone help me! I'm being attacked!"

The desperate screams of Linda Harris filled the air, drawing an increasing crowd of onlookers to the scene.

Hadley Pearson was poised at the top of the staircase, her gaze fixed on Linda who lay crumpled below. A look of utter confusion washed over Hadley as she stared down at her own hands, completely bewildered.

Murmuring to herself, Hadley said, "How could this have happened..."

Why did Linda collapse so suddenly?

"What's going on here?"

With today marking the Flynn family's grand banquet, the estate was bustling with guests. Those who heard the commotion quickly encircled Linda, who was sprawled out from her fall down the stairs.

"What's going on? How did she end up falling?"

"Look up there. She..."

Struggling through her pain, Linda managed to lift her head and look up towards where Hadley stood.

It was then that the gathered crowd pieced together the apparent events.

"Hadley pushed Linda!"

"Good heavens! Hadley, regardless of your feelings towards Linda, such harshness is unthinkable! And she's expecting a child!"

"You've crossed the line!"

"No, that's not true..."

As accusations flew, Hadley's complexion blanched, and she vehemently shook her head in denial.

She tried to assert her innocence, insisting she hadn't pushed Linda.

However, her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"Make way!"

A commanding male voice disrupted the gathering, asserting his presence authoritatively.

That voice belonged to Eric Flynn, Hadley's new husband for only a brief period.

"Eric..."

A wave of relief washed over Hadley as she turned to him for support.

Yet, as Eric's eyes met hers, they were sharp and accusing. "You hurt her!"

"I didn't!" Hadley protested, her denial forceful as she shook her head desperately. "I wasn't the one..."

"Then who did?" Eric asked, his disbelief apparent.

His look of disdain and anger was directed squarely at Hadley, his features twisted in revulsion.

"Are you suggesting Linda threw herself down the stairs? You're known to be overbearing. Haven't you been antagonizing her all this time? Must I remind you of all the incidents?" Eric continued.

Hadley remained motionless.

The severity in her husband's voice rendered her speechless.

"Ah..."

Cradling her stomach, Linda leaned on Eric, her voice faint. "Eric, it's so painful. It really hurts!"

"Linda?" Eric's grandmother, Nyla Flynn, approached, alarmed. "What has happened here?" she demanded.

"There's blood!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"Look, she's bleeding!"

Beneath Linda, a crimson stain was expanding steadily.

Clutching at Eric's neck, Linda broke down in tears. "Eric! My baby! Help my baby..."

"Don't worry!"

Eric tried to reassure her, but his face betrayed his own fear as panic set in.

"We need to get to the hospital immediately!"

Swiftly lifting Linda into his arms, Eric's eyes met Hadley's with a harsh, accusing stare.

"If anything happens to the baby, you'll regret it..."

He left the sentence hanging, and then swiftly turned away, carrying Linda towards help.

At that moment, ensuring Linda and her unborn child's safety was his only concern.

Nyla looked at Hadley with a mix of disappointment and disbelief, struggling to find the words. "Hadley, how could you-"

"Nyla..."

Hadley barely started to respond when Nyla turned her back and walked away.

Suddenly, the crowd began to thin out.

Ignored by everyone, Hadley found herself aimlessly returning to her room, lost in a fog of confusion.

She waited anxiously for Eric to return. She hadn't pushed Linda and needed to clear the air with him.

As hours passed into the deep of night, Eric still hadn't come back.

As the first light of dawn crept in, sounds echoed from below.

"Eric!"

Hadley leapt from the sofa and hurried towards the door.

She paused at the top of the stairs, hesitating, as she heard his voice.

"Grandma, I want a divorce!"

Eric's declaration cut through the air, his tone bitter and decisive.

"Get back here!"

Nyla reached out to her grandson, her voice firm and commanding.

"What are you saying? I made a promise to Hadley's grandmother to protect her. You're barely married, and now a divorce? She's just twenty. Do you want to ruin her life?"

"Am I the one ruining her life? Ridiculous!"

Eric's laughter was harsh, his gaze piercing with resentment.

"Grandma, we've lost Linda's baby! Do you hear me? My brother's child is gone! And yet, Hadley is untouched! Tell me, who is truly causing despair here?"

Nyla was left speechless.

"I never wanted to marry her. You pushed me into it!"

Eric's frustration was evident, and he seemed on the verge of losing it over his marital situation.

"I was willing to accept her if she made you happy. But I can no longer tolerate such a wife now! If this continues, I fear I might do something drastic. I'm losing my grip!"

"Stop this!" Nyla shouted, her voice filled with panic as she clutched Eric's arm tightly.

With the recent loss of her great-grandchild weighing heavily on her, Nyla's expression hardened with determination.

"Fine, you won't have to see her anymore. I'll send her away, overseas, away from all this. Is that acceptable?"

Eric was silent for a beat before nodding in agreement. "If that's what you think is best."

Hadley, overhearing the exchange, turned and hurried back to her room. Once inside, she shut the door and her knees buckled beneath her. Slumping to the floor, tears cascaded down her cheeks.

"Eric, Eric..."

The revelation that he resented their marriage-that it had been against his will-was overwhelming.

Hadley had been unaware, utterly oblivious to the depth of his reluctance.

Having lost her parents young and raised by her grandmother, who herself died in a car crash when Hadley was just fifteen, she was left to navigate the world alone.

Nyla had welcomed Hadley into her home because of her close friendship with Hadley's grandmother.

Nyla cherished her, often playfully asking, "Hadley, will you become my granddaughter-in-law when you're older?"

"Of course," Hadley would always respond.

Thus, Hadley grew up dreaming of marrying Eric and becoming his wife.

She centered her life around Eric, tailoring her education to his interests, dressing to catch his eye, and always staying by his side, warding off any potential rivals.

In her heart, she was already his bride; he was meant to be hers.

Yet, these were merely her own fantasies.

He criticized her as overbearing and expressed his desire not to see her again.

Overwhelmed, Hadley finally broke down in tears.

Knock, knock.

Someone was at the door.

"Hadley, are you awake?" It was Nyla calling through the door.

"Yes, I'm here!"

Rapidly drying her tears, Hadley rose, smoothed her hair, and opened the door.

With a forced smile, she said, "Nyla."

Nyla examined Hadley, noticing her red, swollen eyes-evidence of a night spent crying.

Despite understanding Hadley's distress, Nyla struggled to overlook her recent actions.

Nyla seated herself on the sofa, gesturing for Hadley to sit too. "Sit with me."

"Alright." Hadley braced herself for what was coming; she sensed a change in Nyla's demeanor towards her.

Nyla said, "Remember you once mentioned wanting to study abroad? I'm arranging that for you. You'll leave as soon as possible."

The decision to send Hadley away was clear.

Hadley's gaze dropped, and once more, tears started to fall.

Nyla looked at the girl with pity, her affection for Hadley genuine.

Yet, with Linda still hospitalized, Nyla felt compelled to act in Linda's defense.

Nyla steeled herself, took a deep breath, and said firmly, "You must learn to moderate your behavior. At times, you are overly assertive. It's one thing to be protective, but your jealousy even towards Linda is uncalled for. She's engaged to your brother-in-law!"

Struggling to contain her emotions, Hadley whispered, "I..."

Did Nyla also doubt her sincerity?

"It's time for you to pack."

Nyla rose from her seat, giving Hadley a lingering look.

"Once you've shown some improvement, I'll arrange for someone to bring you back, okay?"

With these words, Nyla walked away.

Hadley quickly got up to walk her out.

Left alone, Hadley felt a hollow emptiness inside her.

Out of nowhere, she was hit by a wave of nausea so intense it made her stomach churn.

Catching her breath, Hadley clasped her hand over her mouth.

Hastily, she made her way to the bathroom.