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.”

and air could slip into the line. That would be

“Oh, okay.”

Eric let her

returned with a nurse and a caregiver.

the caregiver placed a tray of food on the table.

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

into strips–easier for you to swallow… And drink some soup too.”

blew on it

not too hot anymore. Open

his smile warm.

chicken as well.”

and Eric

I am really

he woke up, she had not

had known that going into surgery would make you stop being angry, I would have

murmured.

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

“Alright.”

Eric felt nothing

refused to admit she liked him? It was clear as day

would be nothing

Hadley left for the hospital cafeteria to eat her

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

you

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“Yes,”

I Just Want To Hold

her way to the sofa.

she really going

about to protest, Hadley returned with her

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

down beside him.

looked up at him. “Did I bump

back to reality, his voice firm.

“That’s good.”

TV was mounted on the wall opposite the

each other in silence would be far too

you want to watch?” Since they were watching together, Hadley figured she should at least ask for

“Anything’s fine.”

Hadley wanted, and now,

whatever you like. I’ll

“Okay.”

flipped through the channels and finally settled on a lively variety show.

“Let’s watch this.”

chaos, and she

carefully shifting his position until, finally, he pulled Hadley into his arms.

“Be careful not

her tightly. “I just want to

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

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

giving him the courage to press his

that still unsatisfying,

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