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

Chapter 248 I Just Want To

Hold You

Ernest rose from his seat and left the lounge.

Eric’s surgery was almost done. It was time for him to wait outside the OR.

Without a word, Hadley followed.

“Ernest,” Linda called softly, standing up from the bench and taking Ernest’s arm. “Sit down. You should not strain your leg.”

“Alright.”

A few steps away, Hadley observed them in silence, a strange sense of disbelief washing over her.

Linda, this selfish and calculating woman before her, had once risked everything to save the Flynn brothers… Ernest had said that Eric’s feelings for Linda stemmed from gratitude.

Hadley suddenly found herself wondering–what about Ernest? Was his affection for Linda rooted in love or obligation?

Or perhaps, was it a love shaped by gratitude?

The morning light brightened.

Eric’s brow furrowed slightly as his eyes fluttered open.

His arm felt oddly weighted. Looking down, he saw Hadley asleep beside him, her fingers curled loosely around

his arm.

Her long hair spilled over her shoulder, smooth and shining like silk.

Eric swallowed hard, an unfamiliar warmth stirring in his chest.

Hadley, ever the light sleeper, sensed the shift and stirred, propping herself up on her elbow. Her drowsy gaze met his.

“Did I wake you?” Eric’s lips curved into a teasing smile. “You drooled. Are you not going to wipe it?”

Hadley froze, her cheeks burning as she quickly raised her hand to her mouth.

Then she paused. There was nothing there.

Her brows furrowed as she glared at him. “You think that is funny?”

14:01

111

“Pfft… I did not expect you to be so gullible,” Eric chuckled.

Annoyed, Hadley moved to pull her hand away, but Eric held on. “I am sorry! I am really sorry! Do not go, Hadley… Stay with me!”

What could she do? When this man decided to be unreasonable, he was capable of sending himself straight

back to the operating room.

“I am not going anywhere.” She pointed to the IV bottle. “It is almost empty. I will call the nurse to remove it.”

moment of carelessness, and air could slip into

“Oh, okay.”

no choice, Eric let her go.

and soon returned with a nurse and

nurse removed the IV, the caregiver placed a tray of food

picked up a bowl and stirred its contents with a spoon. “I

shredded the meat into strips–easier for you to

she blew on it gently before bringing it to his

hot anymore. Open up.”

his smile warm.

the chicken as well.”

fed him a small piece, and Eric accepted it without hesitation,

am really

woke up, she had not kept him

make you stop being angry, I would have done it

murmured.

for a fraction of a second, but then simply continued feeding him. “Eat before it gets cold.”

“Alright.”

by her, Eric felt nothing short of

yet, she still refused to admit she liked him? It was clear as day that she

soon, Denver would be nothing more than a

his meal, Hadley left for the hospital cafeteria to eat

his plain recovery diet, her meal was far more indulgent. By the time

you

14:01

“Yes,”

248 I Just Want To

nodded and made her way

frowned. Was she really going back there

about to protest, Hadley returned with her

she took light steps to the bedside, placed the pillow next to Eric’s, and carefully

down beside him.

him. “Did I

back to

“That’s good.”

TV was mounted on the wall opposite the bed, and with nothing else to do, watching TV seemed like

silence

do you want to watch?” Since they were watching together,

“Anything’s fine.”

Hadley wanted, and now, especially when he was in such a good mood,

whatever you like. I’ll watch

“Okay.”

the channels and finally

“Let’s watch this.”

mind was in chaos, and she couldn’t focus

position until, finally, he pulled Hadley into

not to tear your wounds again.”

be careful.” Eric held her tightly. “I just want to

of grievance. “I haven’t held you in days.”

be. She had already expected this would happen when she lay down beside him.

the courage to press his cheek

that still unsatisfying,

“If you keep acting up, I’ll get off.” “Don’t!” Eric tightened his hold, his tone