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.

took a small

it?” Ernest frowned.

not like that…” She shook her head. “It tastes familiar. Is this Lafite Rothschild?” She took another sip.

is. You can tell? Are you a

abroad with my mom. She ended up marrying a foreigner—he owned a vineyard, a private winery.” She hesitated, slightly

any better. I drank red wine like it was juice. I guess I picked up

and unguarded, and something about the brightness of her smile

fresh updates for

a world of privilege—safe, luxurious, untroubled. If it hadn’t been for him… her life might’ve

so much—all

down and began plating food for her, carefully slicing the

If

“Alright.”

began eating

her eat with such visible enjoyment, Ernest’s lips curved into

fast. There’s

up. “There really is a

I’ll help you blow out the candles and cut it