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

Chapter 943:

He reached up and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, the smirk never leaving his face. “You always go straight for the bite.” He’d lost count of how many times she’d done it.

“Eric!” Hadley snapped, wiping her lips furiously. “Do you even know what hygiene is? When was the last time you brushed your teeth?”

Eric cocked a brow and laughed louder. “That sounds a lot like permission to kiss you. Are you saying you’re okay with it, as long as I brush next time?”

Hadley blinked, stunned for a second. Was that really what she’d implied?

He always did this—twisting things, charging ahead without thinking, acting like her feelings were his to interpret however he liked. The pressure she’d been holding in finally snapped. All her frustration spilled over.

“Eric! Just because you chased me down here looking like a ghost doesn’t mean I’m going to fall apart. Don’t expect me to change how I feel about you!” She glared at him, her voice cold as ice. “You getting hurt has nothing to do with me. So why do you keep acting like I owe you something? How is that fair? Do I look like someone who just sits and accepts anything thrown at her?”

“I’m sorry.”

small—like a boy who knew he’d done wrong. His hands

be angry.

restrained emotion, her eyes glassy with tears she refused to

how tightly wound her nerves had been these past few days, how each moment felt like teetering on the edge

vulnerable, so human—only made it harder to hold herself

her voice breaking. “You’ve owed her for years, Eric. Years! And if something happened to you, how would you ever make that right, huh? How would you fix that?” Her lashes fluttered, lips trembling as the tears finally welled up, stubborn

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as if it were soaking into his very bones. Guilt gnawed at him, and all he could do was lower his head and lean it against her shoulder, quietly

Hadley gasped, stiffening in both shock and frustration. Was he even listening? Had any of her

was wrong. Trust me, I really

moment, Eric gently pulled Hadley into an embrace. “I didn’t think it through,” he murmured. “I never meant to put myself in danger. I just… I couldn’t stand the thought of you

snapped, flustered. “Stand up straight and talk like