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

Chapter 1470:

“I understand completely,” he conceded softly.

Ernest abandoned all pretense, fully acknowledging her desire to banish him from her sight and her life.

“But what of Locke? Surely you haven’t extinguished all desire to see him?” he challenged gently.

Elissa’s entire body stiffened, her spine snapping to rigid attention at the mention of that precious name.

“Elissa.” Ernest’s voice dropped to a tender murmur. “Locke pines for you daily. He constantly inquires about you. You cannot deny your affection for him, can you?”

Her mouth opened slightly, but the cutting response she sought evaporated on her tongue.

alone deserve your contempt. Locke bears no responsibility for any of this.” He pressed forward, voice raw with emotion. “I only woke up from a coma a year ago. When I finally tracked him down, he was languishing in an orphanage. According to the director, two separate families adopted him and then sent him back. Locke

Elissa clamped her eyelids closed as tears gathered and spilled, transforming her lashes into

Ernest guided her toward his waiting vehicle. “Please come with

body followed without protest or

the most vulnerable chamber of her heart—one gentle pull at those delicate strings, and her carefully constructed

she slid into the passenger seat beside Ernest, the

high-pitched, childish voice

hopeful question floated

arrived,” confirmed a household staff member.

Little feet pounded across wooden floors as Locke darted toward her,

“Careful!” she gasped instinctively.

lunged forward, arms outstretched to intercept his