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

Chapter 183 His Way Of Showing Affection -

The doctor's next words confirmed exactly what Eric feared.

“Also, Mr. Flynn, for now, please try to avoid any... intimacy.”

Eric’s expression darkened. “Got it.” His voice cout gruff, clipped.

“Then I'll take my leave.”

Once the doctor was gone, Eric turned back to the bedroom. Without a word, he walked into the bathroom, ran

a warm bath, and then returned to the bed. Leaning down, he slipped an arm beneath Hadley.

The moment her body lifted slightly off the mattress, her eyes snapped open.

“What are you doing now?” she demanded. “You findlike this and you still can’t help but take advantage of

me?”

Her breath hitched, but she didn’t hold back. “Go find someone else. | don’t want to see your face right now!”

What?

Eric's mind stalled. Had he just heard that correctly?

A slow, heavy feeling curled in his chest, his breath coming sharper. Was she trying to get under his skin? What

kind of girlfriend would say something like that to her boyfriend?

“Hadley, | know you're mad at me.” His gaze locked onto hers, piercing, unreadable. “But you're mine, just like

I'm yours. I'm not the kind of man who strays-who looks elsewhere when things get hard. That's not who | am.

No matter how upset you are, please don’t throw words like that at me.”

Hadley stared at Eric’s tense expression, his sharp features set in stone.

“Are you really that mad?”

Eric said nothing. Wasn't this exactly what she wanted? To provoke him-to push him just far enough to see if

he'd crack?

Hadley let out another soft chuckle, light and airy, as she looped her arms around his neck.

Her fingers traced absent patterns along his collar, her touch feather-light.

“Why so serious?” she murmured, tilting her head ever so slightly. “We're together, sure, but you don’t like me.

And | don’t like you either.”

The moment those words left her mouth, Eric felt a sharp, unseen force strike through his chest. She didn’t like

me? Or was she still thinking about Denver?

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Chapter 183 His Way Of Showing Affection

Hadley, blissfully unaware of the brief flicker of pain in his gaze, kept smiling “I mean, I'm a pretty open- minded

person. These days, even marriages can be open. Spouses have their own thing, no expectations, no restrictions.

Why should we be any different? Don’t take this so seriously. Mr. Flynn... don’t tellyou've actually been

faithful to Linda all these years?

“Honestly...” she continued, her fingers trailing lightly down his chest. “You might not have a real girlfriend-

but you've always had someone, haven't you?”

“Hadley!”

Eric’s voice cracked through the air like a whip. The teasing died on her lips. His stare bore into her, heated,

frustrated.

“Sthings don’t need repeating,” Eric said, his voice firm. “So listen carefully-this is the last tI'll say it.

Linda and | were never more than friends. And whatever is between us now? It has nothing to do with her.”

He took a breath, then added, his voice softer now-almost hesitant. “And | don’t dislike you. Do you really not

know how | feel about you?”

In one smooth motion, he scooped her into his arms, holding her close. “The bath is ready. You'll feel better

after a soak.”

Hadley’s breath hitched as he lifted her off the bed.

What did he mean by that? Not disliking her?

And what about his feelings? What exactly was she supposed to realize?

But before she could gather her thoughts, the quiet click of the bathroom door sealed them inside. Eric set her

down carefully, his arm firmly steadying her, while his free hand moved swiftly and confidently unbuttoning

her clothes.

“Eric-" She pressed a shaky hand against his chest, brows drawn together tightly. “Letdo it myself.”

“You?” he murmured, eyes flickering pointedly toward her bandaged hand. “You mean with that hand wrapped

like a mummy?” His gaze dropped lower, noting how her legs trembled beneath her own weight. “Or those legs

that can barely keep you standing?”

His hands moved faster, deftly removing the remaining fabric, driven by an urgency to keep her warm. Soon, her

skin finally touched the warmth of the water.

“Ahh...” Hadley sucked in a sharp breath, a jolt of pain rippling through her.

The fact that she couldn't stand on her own was his fault in the first place, wasn't it?

It wasn’t the cold making her legs unsteady-it was the deep, tender bruises scattered across her body-

especially on her thighs, each a painful reminder of the night before.

Eric saw them clearly. Those faint, painful reminders beneath the water's surface-every mark, every bruise- his

doing.

A heavy ache pressed against his chest.

The doctor's quiet warning echoed back to him now, louder than ever.

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Chapter 183 His Way Of Showing Affection

When he spoke, his voice was raw with guilt, each word weighed down by remorse. “I'm sorry. This was my

fault... | promise it won't happen again.”

If there ever was a next time, Eric wouldn't need Ernest to step in-he’d be unable to forgive himself first.

“Close your eyes,” he murmured gently, his voice wrapping around her like the steam filling the room. “Lean

back-I'll take care of you.”

Hadley eyed him warily but didn’t resist. Sbattles simply weren't worth fighting.

Ever since that first night at Silver Villas, Eric had always taken care of her in this gentle, attentive way.

At first, Hadley found it peculiar, almost unsettling, but soon enough, it becfamiliar, even comforting.

Perhaps this was just Eric Flynn's unique way of showing affection.

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder-how many other women had experienced this tenderness from him?

After carefully washing her hair and allowing her to soak peacefully, Eric lifted her effortlessly, wrapped her

warmly in a soft towel, and carried her back to bed.

He meticulously dried her hair before finally reaching for the ointment.

“What's that?” Hadley asked suspiciously, pulling back slightly. “I told you, | don’t want any medicine.”

“It isn’t something you need to swallow,” Eric said calmly, assuming her resistance was just a childish

stubbornness.

The doctor had reassured him that her fever wasn’t alarming; fluids and rest would suffice for now if she was

strongly against medicine.

He could accept that, but this ointment was non-negotiable.

“It’s topical. You don’t ingest it.” He held her wrist softly, gently persuasive.

“It’s for the bruises. Didn't you just flinch from the pain?”

Hadley hesitated. Would her continued refusal stir his suspicion?

“I... I'm feeling a bit thirsty. Could you bringswarm milk?”

“Of course,” Eric answered immediately. “I'll get it after applying the ointment—"

“Are you going to get it or not?”

Hadley interrupted sharply, her patience fraying.

She still looked unwell, her eyes glassy, her cheeks flushed with a lingering fever, causing Eric's heart to flutter

inexplicably.

His pulse quickened, mouth turning dry, swallowing becoming a difficult task.

How could he refuse her anything?

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“Alright, Ill get it now.”

As soon as Eric stepped out, Hadley quickly grabbed the ointment box, scanning the instructions carefully until

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she found what she was looking for-safe for pregnant women.

A wave of relief washed over her.

There was nothing to worry about now. Even though she wasn’t pregnant yet, she was actively trying, and she

couldn't risk using anything unsafe.

When Eric returned carrying a cup of milk, the herby scent of ointment lingered strongly in the air. He offered

the cup to Hadley.

“Did you already apply it yourself?”

“Yes.” Hadley accepted the milk, sipping gently, careful of its heat.

“Could you reach everywhere yourself?” Eric asked with mild concern. “You could've waited for me.”

“I managed fine,” she replied lightly, finishing the milk and handing him the empty cup.

Taking it, Eric gently probed further.

“Are you hungry? | made spancakes. Want to eat a bit?”

“I'm not hungry,” Hadley replied weakly, waving off the suggestion. “I just want to sleep.”

Already settling into bed, she showed no signs of further conversation. Eric didn’t press her further, gently

tucking the covers around her and placing ice packs beneath her armpits.

“Rest now. I'll be right here if you need anything ”

Hadley remained silent, turning her back toward him.

Eric sighed softly to himself. Was she still upset? Well, at least she was back. He would patiently win her over

again.

Turning off the main lights, he left only a soft glow from the wall lamp.

Hadley lay still, awake but quiet, sensing Eric had moved to the sofa, likely occupied with work.

As sleep finally started to claim her, she heard him rise and enter the bathroom.

Moments later, the bed gently dipped as he lay down beside her, his arms wrapping protectively around her

from behind.

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