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

Chapter 1023:

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Eric shook his head. “How could we ever not care?” His phone buzzed mid-sentence.

It was Ernest. Busy at the office all day, he’d called to get an update on the results of the consultation.

“It’s Ernest,” Eric said, glancing at Linda before picking up.

“Yeah, the consultation went well; they’ve got the results… Uh-huh… Got it…”

After hanging up, he turned back to Linda with a reassuring look. “See? Ernest hasn’t ditched you either. We’re family—always will be.”

Hearing this, Linda went rigid, tears streaming as she nodded over and over, her voice breaking. “I know… I know…”

“Linda, don’t lose hope.” Eric eased her back onto the bed, his tone soft but firm. “The consultation just wrapped. The experts say if you stick with the treatment, there’s a real shot at getting better.”

“For real?” Linda paused, tears glistening at the edges of her eyes.

just

Eric gave a resolute nod. The doctors couldn’t promise a full turnaround, but even a sliver of possibility

not giving up,

up at him, silent for a long stretch, and then nodded slowly. Her hand clamped onto his

swore, his voice steady

she was in this situation—how could he possibly turn his back

by soon. Splash some water on

head, her nerves settling. “Whatever you say, I’ll

Hadley finished rinsing Joy off and was about to settle in with a storybook, the doorbell

“I’ll grab it…”

as she headed to the entrance. She swung

strained smile, guilt etched across his face. He peeked past her.

but Hadley planted herself in

icy, detached. “I’d rather you didn’t come