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

Chapter 243 You're Falling

In Love But Don’t Even...

“Hadley!”

Eric's voice sliced through the air, sharp and unyielding His expression darkened, the muscle in his jaw

tightening as he stared her down. His lips pressed into a hard line, every inch of him radiating frustration.

“Why so tense?” she said, tilting her head slightly. “Am | wrong?” Her gaze locked onto his, unwavering. “You

got hurt protecting the person you care about-shouldn’t she be the one here, feeling concerned?”

“Enough,” Eric snapped, his voice edged with warning “Stop bringing her up every chance you get.”

His cold stare bore into her, his patience wearing thin. “How many times do | have to tell you? There's nothing

between Linda and me. Last night wasn’t about her-it was about my brother-"

“Oh, please!” Hadley let out a soft chuckle, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Could it be, that you're falling in

love but don’t even realize it, Mr. Flynn?”

“Hadley...”

Knock! Knock! The sharp tension between them was broken by a gentle rapping on the door.

A nurse entered, pushing a treatment cart, completely oblivious to the charged atmosphere. “Mr. Flynn, it’s time

for your afternoon infusion.”

Eric didn’t look away from Hadley, his expression still stormy, as if their conversation had merely been paused.

rather than ended.

“Please proceed.” Hadley stepped back, giving space, but not before casting Eric one last glance. “Thank you for

your hard work.”

“You're welcome, Miss Pearson.” The nurse offered a kind smile as she leaned down, expertly adjusting the IV

line with practiced precision.

“That should do it,” she said, straightening up. “If you need anything, just press the call button or reach out to

the nurse's station.”

“Alright, thank you.”

With a polite nod, the nurse gathered her things and slipped out of the room, leaving behind a stillness that

felt heavier than before.

Hadley didn’t seem interested in revisiting their earlier conversation. Instead, she pulled a chair closer and sank

into it, her gaze drifting lazily to the IV bag. “This is going to take at least an hour and a half, isn’t it?” she

murmured, a yawn slipping out before she could stifle it. “Ahh...”

00%

12:56

[e]

< Chapter 243 You're Falling In Love But Don’t Even Realize It

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

The force of it made her eyes water, and she quickly wiped at them, blinking away the drowsiness creeping in.

Eric, still watching her, felt the lingering tension between them begin to ease. “Are you really that exhausted?”

he asked, his tone softer now.

Hadley nodded, yawning again.

“How could | not be? Last night was chaos-I barely got three hours of sleep,” she muttered, stretching her arms

sluggishly. “Then | had to go straight to the dance troupe first thing in the morning.”

Now that she was still in a cozy chair for more than a few minutes, exhaustion clung to her like a heavy fog,

weighing her down fast.

Eric glanced at his hospital bed. It was large-more than enough space for her to rest too. “Hadley, come-”

Before he could finish, the door swung open.

This time, it was Phillips.

“What is it?” Eric's tone was sharp, edged with irritation. Of all times, why did Phillips have to show up now?

Reading the room, Phillips hesitated at the doorway, an inexplicable chill running down his spine.

Why did it feel like Eric's stare was filled with... irritation?

Clearing his throat, Phillips straightened and quickly said, “Mr. Flynn, | was wondering if Hadley wanted to go

back and bring sof your things over?”

It was a practical suggestion.

Eric would be in the hospital for a few days. While it was easy enough to buy anything he needed, personal

items-his own clothes, a razor, his phone charger-were always more comfortable than whatever the hospital

could provide.

Even Hadley hadn't thought of that.

In the past, Phillips would have handled such things himself. But now that Hadley was Eric's girlfriend, naturally,

it was a task that fell to her.

“Good thinking.” Hadley said with a nod. “I'll go grab them. | know exactly where to find them.”

Eric gave a small nod. “Alright.”

Hadley adjusted her coat, and then turned to Phillips. “I'll leave everything here in your hands. I'll head back

and pack.”

Phillips acknowledged her with a slight nod. “Sebastian’s waiting downstairs. He'll drive you home.”

“Got it.”

She started toward the door, but before she could step out-

“Hadley.” Eric’s voice halted her in her tracks.

She turned, her eyes meeting his. His expression had shifted-less guarded now. “You'll be back, right?”

The quiet uncertainty in his question made her pause. “Obviously. | am bringing your things-I have to return,

24.3%

111

12.56

0 <

< Chapter 243 You're Falling In Love But Dont Even Begleit

don’t I?”

“Yeah...” Eric’s lips lifted into a faint smile. “Be careful on the way. Cbed www*

“I will.”

With a final wave, she stepped out.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Eric felt an unfamiliar unese settle in his chest an irrational ya Creeping in.

What if she didn’t cback.....

Outside, Hadley slipped into the car where Sebastian was already waiting

As they pulled away from the hospital, her gaze drifted to the passing scenery, for a fleeting moment, throug the

window, she caught sight of Ernest and Linda standing beneath the trees in the hoagital phon

They seemed deep in conversation.

The moment barely lasted a second before the car moved on, the figures disappearing behind the grove

In the garden... Linda stood with her back to Ernest, her posture rijd, her breath uneven. Her eyes, swollen and

red, glistened with unshed tears.

“Linda...” Ernest’s voice was quiet, steady. He leaned on his cane, his other hand holding out a neatly folded

handkerchief.

“Don’t cry,” he said gently. “This is my fault. If you're upset, take it out on me.”

“Take it out on you?” she repeated, her voice shaking with frustration. She took a step closer, her gaze piercing,

“The child is three years old.” Her voice cracked slightly, but she pushed through it. “Where is his mother? You

have him living with Quentin-but where is that woman?”

Ernest's expression darkened. His brows knitted together as a familiar face flashed through his mind. For a long,

heavy moment, he said nothing

Then, jaw set, he met Linda's eyes with unwavering resolve. “There is no woman,” he said firmly.

“You expectto believe that?” Linda snapped, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“No woman? What? You had a child on your own?”

“That's not what | meant,” Ernest said, shaking his head.

He exhaled, his gaze steady as he explained, “I mean that | only acknowledge the child. As for his mother... |

don’t know who she is, nor do | have any intention of being tied to her.”

Linda froze, searching his face for any sign of hesitation. “You... you mean that?” she asked, her voice faltering

“Yes.” Ernest met her gaze with unwavering certainty. He lifted the handkerchief in his hand and, with deliberate

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

gentleness, wiped away the lingering tears on her cheeks.

“The child was never planned,” he murmured. “His mother means nothing to me-just a stranger who happened

to exist in that moment. Why would | ever choose her over you?”

His words were measured, spoken with clarity and conviction.

51.6%

12:56

lo

<

Something inside Linda cracked. Her eyes welled up again, fresh tears spilling over as emotion surged through

her.

“Now what?” Ernest exhaled, shaking his head. “You're crying again...”

“Ernest!”

Before he could say another word, Linda launched herself into his arms, gripping him tightly as if afraid he might

slip away.

“You said it,” she choked out between broken breaths. “You said it yourself! Promiseyou're not lying- please,

don’t lie toagain!”

Ernest looked down at her, the weight of her desperation pressing against him.

A soft sigh escaped his lips before he finally lifted his arm, his embrace steady, reassuring.

“Yes,” he murmured. “| said it myself. | won't lie to you.”

“Oh...” Linda let out a shaky breath. “Ernest, | can’t imagine a life without you! You're all | have! Please don’t

leave me!”

His hold on her tightened just slightly, his voice low, unwavering. “I know,” he murmured. “I know.”

Back at Silver Villas, Hadley moved through Eric’s room with quiet efficiency, retrieving a suitcase and carefully

selecting his belongings. A few sets of clothes. His essentials. The small, familiar things he preferred. One by

one, she packed them neatly inside.

Once satisfied, she zipped the suitcase shut and carried it downstairs, where Sebastian, the driver, was already

waiting.

She handed it over with a polite nod. “Thank you, Sebastian.”

Sebastian accepted the suitcase with a slight smile. “No need for such formalities.” He turned, rolling the

luggage toward the car before pausing. “Shall we head back now?”

Hadley, however, remained where she was.

“Sebastian.” Something in her tone made him stop and glance back. “You go ahead,” she said evenly. “I won't be

going with you.”

12:56