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

Chapter 1009:

To be closer to her, Ernest pulled his chair alongside hers. The gentle glow lit her features, softening them with a tender radiance.

Unconsciously, Ernest’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He reached for the decanter on the table and poured two glasses of red wine. Elissa caught the scent in the air.

“What’s that? Red wine?”

“Yes,” he replied. “It’s your birthday. I thought we’d share a glass.”

“Alright.”

He gently took her hand, guiding the stem of the glass into her fingers. “Careful. Hold it steady.”

Elissa let out a quiet laugh. “You’re fussier than Laney. I may be blind, but I haven’t lost the ability to hold a wine glass.”

“That’s on me,” Ernest said, tone warm and unbothered.

He raised his own glass and lightly tapped it against hers. “Happy birthday.”

Elissa froze, a sudden tightness in her chest. Her nose tingled. “Thank you,” she murmured.

head and took

Ernest frowned. “You don’t like

that…” She shook her head. “It tastes familiar. Is this Lafite Rothschild?”

“It is. You can tell? Are

I was little, I lived abroad with my mom. She ended up marrying a foreigner—he

then, I didn’t know any better. I drank red wine like it was juice. I guess I picked up a

light and unguarded, and something about the brightness

has fresh

world of privilege—safe, luxurious, untroubled. If it

so much—all because

glass down and began plating food for

If there’s something you like,

“Alright.”

fork and began

such visible enjoyment, Ernest’s lips

too fast. There’s still

lit up.

I’ll help you blow out