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?”

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“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.”

of carelessness, and air could slip into the

“Oh, okay.”

Eric

soon returned with a nurse and a

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

stirred its contents with a spoon. “I made

you to swallow…

a spoonful, she blew on it gently before bringing it

not too hot anymore. Open

took a sip, his smile warm. “Delicious.”

the chicken

piece, and Eric accepted it without hesitation, his expression

I am really happy.”

woke up, she had not kept him

surgery would make you stop being angry,

murmured.

a second, but then simply continued feeding him. “Eat before it gets

“Alright.”

care of by her, Eric felt

jealousy–what a troublesome mix! And yet, she still refused to admit she liked him? It was clear as day that

doubt that soon, Denver would be nothing more than

Hadley left for

recovery diet, her meal was far more indulgent. By the time she returned, satisfied and full, Eric had been

did you

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“Yes,”

Want To Hold

made her way to the

frowned. Was she really going

as he was about to protest, Hadley returned with her pillow in

slippers, she took light steps to the bedside,

down beside him.

up at him. “Did

Eric snapped back to

“That’s good.”

for the remote on the bedside table. A TV was mounted on the wall opposite the bed, and with nothing else to do, watching TV seemed like the best

each other in silence

were watching together, Hadley figured she should at least ask for his

“Anything’s fine.”

along with whatever Hadley wanted, and now, especially when he was

you like. I’ll watch with you.”

“Okay.”

flipped through the channels and finally settled

“Let’s watch this.”

was in chaos, and she couldn’t focus on anything too serious.

carefully shifting his position until, finally, he pulled

“Be careful not to tear your wounds again.”

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

voice carried a hint of grievance. “I haven’t held you

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

softened Eric’s heart, giving him the courage to press

unsatisfying, he nuzzled

get off.” “Don’t!” Eric tightened his hold, his tone bordering on pitiful. “I’m not acting up. I