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

Chapter 245 | Don’t Want Anyone, Just You

“Yes to sellpesu komt ees myaing your medley Waked, he expressin the geben

She then let out a tic sig, shaking her head in desgrond, “How constern

brows furrowed, irritation flickering across his fix a Madley continued, why

What, do you expectto bring you food now?”

Hadley let out a scoff, crossing her arms. “Let's getting straight here.

because of me. And two, I'm not your personal watress

*Hadley

Her sharp tongue left Eric momentary stunned His face paled sightly, and wis a rented sigh, be slumped back

against the pillows

Through clenched teeth, he muttered under his breath, mostly

starve. If | waste away, | waste away. Not like anyone actually pass a dan

Awkwardly lingering near the door, the nurse hesitated “Miss Pearson, we we really

medication on amo empty stomach. How about 1 cback later?

Not waiting for a reply, she swiftly made her EXA

If anything happened to Eric, even their hospital director wouldn't be able to bear the consequences. It was safer

to step back and let things play out.

“Miss Pearson”

Before the door could fully clone, another figure rushed in.

It was Eric’s personal caregiver, a man in his forties, who had been overseeing has care since his hospitalization

He had only stepped out briefly to send Erie's dirty laundry for washing, and now he looked slightly out of

breath.

Castoring wound the dining table, he explained, “Breakfast was delivered sarber, but Mr. Flynn refused to eat

until you arrived ite cast an apologetic glance at her. “You see...”

Hadley exhaled slowly, shaking her head in resignation.

“Alright, | get it,” she said, deciding not to make things harder for him. “Go handle what you need to

0.57%

12.57

[e]

Chapter 245 | Don’t Want Anyone, Just You

“Thank you, Miss Pearson.” With a polite nod, the caregiver left.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

Hadley turned her gaze toward the man sulking in bed before heading to the dining table.

She opened the insulated food container, revealing a light but appetizing meal.

She quietly served a small bowl, then carried it over to the bedside.

“Eat something,” she said, holding the bowl out. “It'll help with the IV.”

But Eric remained still, turned away from her, refusing to acknowledge her presence.

Hadley arched a brow, a knowing smirk playing at her lips. “Are you eating or not?”

Silence.

A dry chuckle escaped her.

“Seriously?” she scoffed. “Enough already. It's your body, not mine. If you want to starve yourself or end up with

smedical complication from an empty stomach, go ahead. But don’t expectto feel sorry for you.”

Her patience was thinning. “If you don’t want it, fine.”

She stood, ready to walk away with the bowl.

“Hadley!”

Before she could take another step, Eric suddenly turned and grabbed her wrist, his grip firm.

His dark eyes locked onto hers, frustration burning behind them. “Are you trying to driveinsane?” Hadley

sighed, exasperated. “I don’t know what you want fromanymore. Should | call Linda over instead?”

“Hadley!” His jaw clenched, his voice rough and low. “I don’t want Linda. | don’t want anyone else. Just you.”

“Whatever!” Hadley cast him a flat look, completely unfazed. “So? Are you eating or not?”

“Yes, I'll eat-ugh!”

Eric tried to push himself up, but the movement sent a sharp jolt of pain through his wounds. A hiss escaped his

lips as cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Hadley sighed, setting the bowl down before helping him sit up properly. She grabbed two pillows, tucking them

behind his back with practiced ease.

“There.”

She picked up the bowl again, scooping up a spoonful of soup and holding it out to him.

Eric took a sip-but immediately grimaced. “It’s too hot-blow on it.”

Eric made no attempt to take the spoon from her, simply sitting there, waiting.

Hadley blinked, staring at him in disbelief.

“Mr. Flynn, you're twenty-eight years old, not eight.”

Even children knew how to cool their own food-Joy was barely three, and even she could manage it without

23.5%

12:57

Ho <

fuss.

“Well? Aren't you going to do it for me?” He lifted an eyebrow, almost taunting. “I don’t care if I'm twenty- eight

or forty-eight-if you don’t cool it for me, I'm not eating.”

Hadley inhaled deeply. Too weary to continue the standoff, she reluctantly brought the spoon to her lips, gently

blowing over the soup before offering it back to him. “There. Perfectly safe for your royal palate now.”

Eric took the spoonful, chewing slowly, evaluating the flavor with exaggerated skepticism.

Predictably, he wasn’t satisfied. “It's pretty bad.”

Hadley released a measured breath, forcing calm into her voice. “Just have a bit more, alright? It's already

getting late, and you haven't even begun your treatment today.”

But Eric made no response, simply staring at her with a sulky expression.

Hadley raised an eyebrow. “Now what's wrong? Tellexactly what your highness wants.”

Eric's lips twitched slightly before mumbling, “The steamed pear you made the other day.”

Hadl

chuckled dryly, clearly humoring a very fussy patient. “Finish this first, and I'll make it for you later this

afternoon.”

Eric squinted suspiciously, weighing his options carefully before finally surrendering with a resigned sigh. “Fine.”

Once Eric finished eating, the nurse returned to administer his IV medication, and Hadley began preparing to

head back to Silver Villas.

Givenc

the current situation, she'd have to stay at the hospital for at least a few days.

Eric had a dedicated caregiver, but it seemed he only wanted Hadley-no one else would do.

As soon as she mentioned leaving, Phillips quickly stepped forward, offering to drive her.

Hadley understood his intentions clearly; he was probably worried she'd disappear and never cback. She

gave him a gentle smile. “Thank you.

By the tshe left, Eric had already fallen asleep, the medication having taken effect.

On the drive back to Silver Villas, Hadley made a quick call to the housekeeper. “It's me. Could you please buy

spears for me? Yes... | wanna steam them.”

When she arrived at Silver Villas, the housekeeper was already busy in the kitchen.

Hadley quickly packed a few personal items and carefully wrapped the treat Eric had specifically requested.

Back at the hospital, Eric had just woken up, his eyes flickering open as the nurse finished securing the IV line in

his hand.

He glanced around, a faint crease forming on his forehead when he realized Hadley wasn’t in sight. Irritation

began to settle in, but before he could act on it, the door opened softly, and Hadley stepped inside carrying a

small bag.

“Hadley!”

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

“You're awake?”

12:57

lo

Chapter 245 | Don’t Want Anyone, Just You

She smiled gently, moving swiftly to the closet before returning to his bedside.

She placed a gentle palm against his forehead, checking his temperature.

“You're still a bit warm, but better than earlier.”

Eric's fever was expected after surgery-a typical reaction lasting a couple of days at most.

Hadley rose and poured him a glass of water. “Drink this. The doctor said you need to stay hydrated.”

“Alright.” Eric eased himself up, leaning comfortably against the headboard. He took several slow sips with

Hadley’s assistance.

“By the way...” Hadley set the glass down and glanced at Eric. “Are you hungry now? The pear is ready, if you'd

like some?”

At her words, Eric's eyes brightened, the corners of his lips twitching into a pleased smile. “Of course.”

“Wait here.”

Hadley furned toward the dining area, retrieving the treat before setting it in front of him. “Eat up-it’s still

warm.”

“Alright.”

Eric lifted his arm, reaching for the bowl. But the moment his eyes landed on the steamed subtly shifted.

pear, his expression

Something was off. Without a word, he picked up the spoon and took a bite. And then he knew. His brows

furrowed, and he slowly turned his gaze to Hadley. “You didn’t make this, did you?” “What's wrong?” Hadley

asked, noticing his change in demeanor.

She glanced at the bowl and sniffed it, and then immediately understood the problem.

The ingredients weren't exactly the sas what she once used-the housekeeper put honey in would be close,

but not quite as Eric remembered.

“I see. The base recipe and method are the same. Just a slight variation.”

The same? Eric scoffed internally, a heaviness settling in his chest.

taste

Did he really care what was put into the dish? No! What he had wanted-what he had really wanted-was her

effort, her personal touch.

He hadn't craved just the taste; he had wanted the warmth of knowing she had made it herself.

His grip on the spoon slackened. With a quiet clink, he dropped it into the bowl and pushed it away. “Do you

really expectto be happy with this?”

12:57