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

stepped into the master bedroom, where the only light came from the soft glow of the wall

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

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

a second, and then spoke softly, not wanting to

The slight flutter

staying in the guest room downstairs tonight. I took a set

chuckle, her voice tinged with amusement and mild irritation. “I was just about to fall asleep, and you woke me

hand, feeling the slight tension

your clothes,” he said gently. “I figured I should

a soft, lazy laugh

say things like that, Eric. Everything here is yours, not mine. You make the decisions,

was upset, and she refused to go home. If

thoughtful of him,

It wasn’t worth the effort..

“The situation was urgent–I didn’t have time to ask you. That was my

she wasn’t exactly thrilled after everything

glancing at the neatly folded set in his hands. “I noticed you hadn’t even removed the tags, so

you ”

“Go on.

Eric felt no relief. In fact, an unexpected tightness settled in his chest. Why did it bother him that she was letting it go so

still sitting there. “Why

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

“Mhm.”

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Maybe Try A Little Harder To Hide

she narrowed her gaze at him. “Is it true? That Ernest is two- timing? Her smirk deepened. “And if he is–Do you see this

“Hadley-”

hands together, laughing lightly. “It is your chance, isn’t

amusement and derision. “Go on, Eric! What are you still doing here? Don’t waste time with me–go be her

finally snapped. His voice, tight with anger, cut through the air like