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

Chapter 936:

His voice was smooth, familiar.

Elissa froze for a moment, stunned by the sound. “Wait… it’s you?”

“Yes, it’s me,” he answered with a soft nod she couldn’t see. “Your neighbor here at the sanatorium. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” she replied, her tone lighter now. Her expression softened into a warm smile. “I thought you were going home for the holidays?”

“I was. Just got back, actually,” Ernest said. Then, with a gentle tilt of his head, he asked, “And you?”

“Same here,” she answered.

Just then, Laney returned with two small plates of snacks. She gave Ernest a quiet nod, acknowledging him without a word.

said, taking one of the plates and handing it carefully to

she said, smiling with genuine gratitude. She

toward

“Thank you,” he replied.

“You’re welcome.”

someone was performing a lively number, filling the room with music

toward the sound, taking it all in. Beside her, Ernest sat quietly, uninterested in

concern flickering in his eyes. Were her eyes still swollen? Did she

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨Ⳓ𝙘𝙤𝙢

he said hesitantly, his Adam’s apple shifting

him at the sound of his voice, momentarily surprised by the softness in it. She paused, but then offered a small, wry smile. “They’re okay—except for the part where I still

vision, some people still feel pain or discomfort. Is

didn’t know.” She thought for a moment, before adding, “I was uncomfortable yesterday, yes—but the doctor prescribed something. After