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

Chapter 1504:

Elissa’s lips parted slightly, the possibility catching her off guard. “Is it really that dangerous?”

“Can you say it isn’t?” he countered, his eyes locked with hers. “You don’t know what might happen next time. None of us do. And Locke… he’s just a child. He needs you whole.”

Then came the final push—subtle, steady, and laced with sincerity. “Elissa, let me take care of you,” he said softly.

Elissa lapsed into contemplative silence.

Ernest’s assessment cut through her defenses with unexpected force, striking at vulnerabilities she had attempted to conceal, even from herself. If his assertions held any truth, her situation was indeed precarious, necessitating protection she could not provide on her own. Yet here she was in Srixby, without a secure refuge—who could she possibly turn to in this hour of need?

Her father? Their strained relationship offered no practical support.

confined to a hospital bed, fighting his own battles. His fragile health would only worsen if he knew of her predicament, potentially derailing any progress he had made in

The question itself revealed its painful

within the walls of her joyless marriage, meaningful connections had eluded her. Only Hadley had managed

her troubles. Hadley had

conclusion weighed heavily

fixed upon Ernest’s face, her expression betraying the disorientation sweeping through her. Ernest’s evaluation of her circumstances rang disturbingly true as he spoke plainly. “Elissa, your situation

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wavering of her resolve, rejection formed on her lips. “No, such measures are unnecessary. The severity of it likely exists only in your imagination. Merely an isolated

His voice carried a

Her tone left no

not disturb Locke’s evening routine. Tomorrow will suffice for a visit. For

the world, Elissa’s