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.”

slip into the line. That would

“Oh, okay.”

choice, Eric

soon returned with a nurse and

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

nurse left, Hadley picked up a bowl and stirred its contents with a spoon. “I made some

into strips–easier for you to swallow… And drink

it gently before bringing it to

is not too hot anymore. Open

took a sip, his

chicken as

fed him a small piece, and Eric accepted

am really

woke up, she had not kept him

known that going into surgery would make you stop being

murmured.

then simply continued feeding him. “Eat before it gets cold.”

“Alright.”

by her, Eric felt nothing short

refused to admit she liked him? It was

Denver would be nothing more

with his meal, Hadley left for the hospital cafeteria to eat

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

did you eat

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“Yes,”

248 I Just Want To Hold You

and made her way to

she really

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

bedside, placed the pillow

down beside him.

up at him. “Did I bump

back to reality, his

“That’s good.”

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

each other in silence

watch?” Since they were watching together, Hadley figured she should at least

“Anything’s fine.”

wanted, and now, especially when he was in such a good mood, he had no objections.

like. I’ll watch with

“Okay.”

and finally settled

“Let’s watch this.”

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

position until, finally, he pulled

tensed instantly. “Be careful not to tear your wounds

will be careful.” Eric held her tightly.

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

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

heart, giving him the courage to press his

unsatisfying, he nuzzled closer..

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