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

Chapter 191 Maybe Try A Little Harder To Hide It

Eric lowered his gaze slightly, giving a small nod. “Alright. What is it you want to say?”

Linda’s lips pressed together before she spoke, her voice laced with quiet frustration. “Aren’t you even going to ask how I got hurt?”

That question….

Without answering right away, he reached for the medical kit, closing it carefully before exhaling. “I may not know the details, but I don’t believe Ernest would have done it on purpose.”

Linda’s fingers curled slightly, her smile turning wry.

“No, he didn’t.” Her voice softened, tinged with something almost fragile. “But sometimes, the worst wounds don’t come from deliberate cruelty… They come from carelessness.”

Eric had no immediate response.

Some things–especially emotions–were too personal for outsiders to untangle. Even well–meaning interference often backfired and made things worse.

*Eric.”

Her voice carried an odd weight now, something deeper than before. “If–and I mean if–Ernest truly betrayed me… would you help me?”

“What are you talking about? He won’t hurt you like that!” Eric’s chest tightened slightly. He didn’t want to entertain that thought.

I’m asking you–what if!”

Linda’s insistence sharpened, her eyes growing red as she pressed on. “Eric, you once promised me–you said. you’d always be good to me, that you’d help me no matter what. Did you mean it?”

Eric frowned, his expression unreadable as he let the weight of her words settle.

Finally, he spoke, his tone measured but firm. “If that day ever comes… I won’t turn a blind eye. I won’t abandon you

That was all he could give her

With that, he picked up the medical kit and stood. “You can sleep in the guest room downstairs tonight. I’ll bring you a change of clothes”

100

A Little Harder To

the only light came from the soft glow of

was already in bed, her breathing slow and steady, but he wasn’t convinced she was fully

walk–in closet, retrieved a set of clothes, and returned

a second, and then spoke softly, not wanting to

response. But he wasn’t fooled. The slight flutter

in the guest room downstairs tonight. I took a set of your clothes for

eyes slowly opened. She didn’t look at the clothes. Instead, she let out a quiet chuckle, her voice tinged with amusement and mild irritation. “I was just about to fall asleep, and you woke me up for this?

reached for her hand, feeling the

they’re your clothes,” he said gently. “I figured I should ask you.”

a

Everything here is yours, not mine. You make the

because- His expression darkened slightly as he lowered his voice. “It’s late, she was upset, and she refused to go home. If she went out alone at this hour, something

thoughtful of him,

didn’t bother arguing. It wasn’t worth

situation was urgent–I didn’t have time to ask you. That was my mistake…” He paused, studying her expression carefully. “I’ll be more mindful

wasn’t blind. He could tell she wasn’t exactly thrilled after everything that had

hadn’t even removed the tags, so I figured

you ”

sharply, waving a dismissive hand. “Go on. She’s waiting, isn’t she? Don’t keep

Eric felt no relief. In fact, an unexpected tightness settled in his

arched a brow when she noticed he was still

second before finally standing up. “Alright. I’ll go.

“Mhm.”

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C

Try A Little Harder

it true? That Ernest is two- timing? Her smirk deepened. “And if he is–Do you see

“Hadley-”

together,

with amusement and derision. “Go on, Eric! What

the air like a whip. “Do you really think so