Too Late Mr. Billionaire: You Can’t Afford Me Now by Theodora Birnir is a romance novel that plunges readers into a world of betrayal, revenge, and rediscovery. Once accused of a heartless act—pushing her rival down the stairs and causing a tragic miscarriage—Hadley was cast aside by the man she loved, Eric, without a chance to explain. Banished abroad and erased from his life, she disappeared.
Years later, Hadley returns—not as the timid woman he once knew, but as the most sought-after performer in the city’s elite nightlife. Men would pay fortunes for a moment of her time, and Eric is no exception. Desperate and disarmed by the magnetic woman she’s become, he tries to reclaim her. But Hadley has a different answer now.
“If you’re eager to see me,” she says coolly, “you’d better join the queue, darling.”
In this gripping tale of second chances and shattered trust, Theodora Birnir delivers a fierce heroine who rises from heartbreak and humiliation to become the one woman the billionaire can’t afford—emotionally or otherwise. Will love get a second chance, or is it already too late?
Read Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can’t Afford Me Now Excerpt from Moboreader
Chapter 1: Send Her Abroad
“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 stood 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 hands, completely bewildered.
Murmuring to herself, Hadley whispered, “How could this have happened… Why did Linda collapse so suddenly?”
“What’s going on here?”
It was the day of the Flynn family’s grand banquet, and the estate was bustling with guests. Those who heard the commotion quickly encircled Linda, who was sprawled at the foot of the stairs.
“How did she end up falling?”
“Look up there. She…”
Struggling through the pain, Linda managed to lift her head and look up toward 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…” Hadley’s complexion blanched, and she shook her head in denial, her voice trembling.
She tried to assert her innocence, insisting she hadn’t pushed Linda. But her pleas fell on deaf ears.
“Make way!”
A commanding male voice disrupted the gathering, asserting his presence with authority.
That voice belonged to Eric Flynn, Hadley’s husband of only a brief period.
“Eric…” A wave of relief washed over Hadley as she turned to him for support.
But Eric’s eyes met hers with sharp accusation. “You hurt her!”
“I didn’t!” Hadley protested, shaking her head desperately. “I wasn’t the one—”
“Then who did?” Eric asked, disbelief thick in his voice.
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 into Eric, her voice faint. “Eric, it’s so painful. It really hurts!”
“Linda?” Eric’s grandmother, Nyla Flynn, approached in alarm. “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, though panic was clearly setting 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 turned away, carrying Linda toward help.
At that moment, ensuring Linda and her unborn child’s safety was all that mattered to him.
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.
Gradually, the crowd began to disperse.
Ignored by everyone, Hadley found herself wandering back 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.
But 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 downstairs.
“Eric!”
Hadley leapt from the sofa and hurried to 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—bitter and decisive.
“Get back here!” Nyla reached for 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.
“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 continued, his frustration boiling over.
“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, panic overtaking her as she clutched Eric’s arm tightly.
With the loss of her great-grandchild weighing heavily on her, Nyla’s expression hardened.
“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. “If that’s what you think is best.”
Overhearing the exchange, Hadley turned and hurried back to her room. Once inside, she shut the door and collapsed to the floor, her knees buckling beneath her.
“Eric… Eric…” she sobbed.
The revelation that he resented their marriage—that it had been against his will—was overwhelming.
Hadley had been unaware, completely oblivious to the depth of his reluctance.
She had lost her parents young and was raised by her grandmother, who later died in a car crash when Hadley was just fifteen. Left to navigate the world alone, she was taken in by Nyla, who had been a close friend of her grandmother’s.
Nyla cherished her, often playfully saying, “Hadley, will you become my granddaughter-in-law when you’re older?”
“Of course,” Hadley would always respond.
She grew up dreaming of marrying Eric. She tailored her education to his interests, dressed to catch his eye, and stayed by his side, always fending off potential rivals.
In her heart, she was already his bride. He was meant to be hers.
Yet those dreams were hers alone.
He had called her overbearing and now didn’t even want 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’s voice.
“Yes, I’m here!” Quickly drying her tears, Hadley stood, smoothed her hair, and opened the door.
With a forced smile, she said, “Nyla.”
Nyla examined her closely, noticing the red, swollen eyes—clear signs of a sleepless, tear-filled night. Despite understanding Hadley’s distress, Nyla struggled to overlook what had happened.
She seated herself on the sofa and gestured. “Sit with me.”
“Alright.” Hadley braced herself, sensing the shift in Nyla’s demeanor.
“You once mentioned wanting to study abroad,” Nyla began. “I’m arranging that for you. You’ll leave as soon as possible.”
The decision was final.
Hadley’s gaze dropped as tears began to fall again.
Nyla looked at the girl with pity. Her affection for Hadley was genuine, but with Linda still hospitalized, she felt compelled to act.
“You must learn to moderate your behavior,” Nyla said firmly. “At times, you’re overly assertive. It’s one thing to be protective, but your jealousy—even toward Linda—is uncalled for. She’s engaged to your brother-in-law.”
Hadley whispered, barely audible, “I…”
Did Nyla doubt her too?
“It’s time for you to pack.”
Nyla rose, giving Hadley a lingering look.
“Once you’ve shown some improvement, I’ll arrange for someone to bring you back. Okay?”
With that, she walked away.
Hadley quickly stood to walk her out. Left alone again, an emptiness settled inside her.
Suddenly, a wave of nausea surged through her. She clutched her stomach, hand over her mouth, and rushed to the bathroom.
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