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

Chapter 138 Two–timing

Flynn Mansion.

Linda’s growing unease over the past few days finally solidified into certainty.

Her fingers tightened around the two delicate tortoiseshell hairpins–something she had just discovered beneath Ernest’s pillow.

They weren’t hers.

Then whose were they?

First, there was a photo of another woman. Now, this.

“Ernest!”

Linda’s voice cracked as she held up the incriminating haripins, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.

“Whose are these?”

Ernest’s gaze flickered downward, averting her question.

Although he couldn’t form complete sentences, his silence spoke volumes-a refusal, a quiet defiance.

“Ha… haha.”

Linda let out a sharp, bitter laugh, the sound hollow in the stillness.

“Oh, right. I almost forgot–you still can’t talk, can you?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm, her emotions teetering on the edge. “Fine. Let’s make this easy. Just nod or shake your head. Can you do that?”

She inhaled sharply, and then pressed on, her voice lower but no less cutting. “Tell me, Ernest… is there someone else? Huh? Is that what this is?”

Still, he said nothing. His head remained bowed, his gaze avoiding hers, his silence a shield he refused to lower. Rage flared in Linda’s chest, burning away the last remnants of her restraint.

She reached out abruptly, her fingers gripping his face, forcing him to meet her eyes.

“Look at me!” she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion. “Answer me, damn it! Nod or shake your head! Is it really that hard?”

Ernest’s thick brows knit together, his lips pressed into a firm line. His eyes held something–an emotion she couldn’t decipher, something locked away beneath layers of unreadable restraint.

And yet, in that unbearable silence, she knew. It was true.

But when? How?

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He had been in a coma for years–it couldn’t have been then. So… it had to be before he went into a coma?

The realization struck like a bolt of lightning. Linda froze, her entire body going rigid as a chilling thought crept into her mind.

“Ernest!” Linda’s voice trembled with fury, her fingers curling into fists at her sides.

“Is this what I deserve?” she choked out, her voice raw with emotion. “Did you ever even think about me when you were with her?”

Ernest sat motionless, his gaze locked on the floor, silent as ever, but his breathing faltered.

“Who is she? Who is she, Ernest?” Linda demanded, her voice rising like a whip crack.

what I’m talking about!” Her voice

her down, but

She reached for Linda, prying her away from Ernest with firm but gentle hands. “Linda, stop!

this matter to you? Don’t you want

“I’ll

behind it remained. “Ernest, tell me this is all a misunderstanding. You

the first time,

lifted his head, his expression unreadable. A long silence stretched between them before he finally moved. A slow, deliberate shake of his head. Then, in a hoarse whisper, barely a

Linda’s strength crumbled. “Ernest,

You keep these–treasuring them, touching them, holding onto them like some sacred token. Like they actually means something to you.” Her lips curling into a bitter sneer. “Well then, let’s see how much you care when they’re gone!”

one swift, merciless motion, she flung the hairpins out the window.

“No!”

ripped through the air like a

she could even process the shock–something unthinkable

his wheelchair, his legs shaking violently beneath him, his body protesting the sudden demand. But he tried.

unstable. His body crashed to the

“Ernest!”

panicked scream filled the space as she darted toward him,

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she tried to help him up.

she turned to Linda, her expression dark with frustration.

snapped, her breath shaky. “Was this really necessary? You know

he’s still weak!”

voice wavered, barely a breath.

shaking her head. The exhaustion in her voice was unmistakable.

murmured, her voice softer now.

Uncertain?

slipped past Linda’s

way Ernest had reacted–the sheer panic in his voice, the way he had moved for the first time in

he had nothing to do

the tension. “Come in here! Mr. Flynn

door burst open, and in came the caregiver–along with Eric.

“What happened?”

at the sight of his brother sprawled on the floor. In an instant, he strode forward, slipping his arms under Ernest’s

on,” he muttered, his grip steady as

didn’t spare anyone a glance. His fingers pressed

word, he started

to Linda, utterly

the hell is

“Oh no…”

across Nyla’s face. Without wasting a second, she hurried after him. “Come on! Let’s

him!”

as he made his way

a sinking feeling–she knew exactly what Ernest was about to do. Turning swiftly, she called out, “Kira! Get

effort. Everyone was there. Everyone–except

looking for?” one of the servants

surprise was evident. “Grandma, are you saying… my

the weight of the situation pressing heavily on her.

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