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

Chapter 151 Why Couldn’t

He Try And Win Her Over

Hospital

Eric’s eyes flew open, and he bolted upright.

“Ugh–damn it!”

A sharp, searing pain tore through his chest, forcing him to clutch his ribs while pressing a hand to his throbbing head.

“Mr. Flynn!”

Phillips, who had been keeping vigil at his bedside, sprang to his feet, his face lighting up with relief. “You’re awake! That’s a damn good sign! The doctor said the sooner you wake up, the better your chances.”

He waved a couple of fingers in front of Eric’s face. “How many fingers, boss?”

“Tsk!” Irritated, Eric batted his hand away. “Do I look brain–dead to you?”

Phillips chuckled. “Just covering the bases. You took a nasty hit to the head–a concussion, they said. Gotta make sure everything’s still working upstairs.‘

Eric smirked despite himself. “Please. Even if someone’s brain got scrambled, it sure as hell wouldn’t be mine.” His body told a different story. Bandages wrapped around his shoulders, arms, and head–a testament to the explosion that had thrown him off his feet. He looked worse than he actually was, but the pain reminded him that the injuries weren’t just for show.

He took a steadying breath and cut straight to what mattered. “Where’s Hadley?”

“She was brought in too, but-”

“Good.” Without another word, Eric shoved the covers aside, ready to get up.

“Whoa, whoa! Mr. Flynn–hold on!”

Phillips blocked his path, both hands raised in alarm.

“Let me finish! Hadley’s fine. They checked her out, and she was discharged already. But you, sir, are the one who’s actually injured.”

He gestured at Eric’s right hand. “And you still have an IV in, so maybe—just maybe you should con staying put for now.”

Eric’s gaze flicked to the IV drip. With an exasperated sigh, he leaned back against the pillows.

20:13

O

<

Chapter 151 Why Couldn’t He Try And Win Her Över

As the first light of dawn crept into the hospital room, Eric stirred awake.

His body ached from the restless night, and though the IV had finished hours ago, sleep had been elusive.

He had thought about checking on Hadley, but waking her in the middle of the night felt unnecessary.

Pushing himself upright, he decided now was time to move. He shed the stiff hospital gown, replacing it with his own clothes. Glancing toward the sofa, he found Phillips sprawled out, dead to the world. Eric smirked slightly before silently slipping out of the room.

Meanwhile…

A persistent vibration dragged Hadley from sleep. Groggy, she groped under her pillow for her phone and squinted at the screen.

With a sigh, she answered. “Hello, Denver?”

So early…

She already knew why he was calling.

The bomb in the theater last night? There was no way he hadn’t seen the news, even though he was in

Prineville.

Oh, thank God! You picked

tighten. She could picture him pacing, hair disheveled, struggling

emotions in check.

night, mobs had seized her phone, leaving her

police returned it to her and she tried calling

“I guess you saw

Hadley was alone in the hotel room. Elissa remained in the hospital, still recovering from her

injuries.

You must have been out of your mind with

but-”

with both relief and frustration. “I saw everything. I was mid–flight when

Mid–flight?

stuttering in her chest as warmth

hesitated. “Wait… Denver, are you…”

her throat. Had he really flown all the way to Blathe?

through the line, edged with exhaustion and unmistakable relief. “I’m almost at

-five minutes out.”

19.7%

N

20:13

O

<

Why Couldn’t He Try And

straight from the

breath escaping as tears welled in her

to Blathe. The moment Denver saw the news and couldn’t reach her, he

felt like–to matter to someone?

when Hadley had been stranded in Blathe with Joy, she

care

crossed

in a lifetime did a person find someone like that?

only ever been

second she ended the call, she

the hotel entrance, she scanned the street, her heart

there he was.

“Hadley!”

breath hitched. “Denver!”

strode toward her, dragging his suitcase behind him,

first thing she noticed was the exhaustion etched into Denver’s face–deep shadows under

Denver let out a small, weary

could I? I couldn’t reach you. My mind kept running in circles, imagining

met her gaze, his expression shifting–hesitant, vulnerable.

“Hadley, can I… can I hold you? Just for a moment?”

already reaching for her, arms opening as if drawn by instinct. He bent slightly and pulled her into a deep, grounding embrace.

caught off guard. Her body tensed, unprepared

to see you standing here, safe and sound… I can’t tell you how good

in his voice–something raw, almost desperate–made

him. She tilted her head up and offered a soft smile. “Mm…”

few steps away, inside a car parked nearby, Eric watched through the

actually came all the

the guy in Prineville? How had he managed to get

43.1%

+4

x+

א |

20:13

O

<

Hadley’s needs, wasn’t he?