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

Chapter 27 Maintain A Distance Between Them Why bother inviting Hadley? Did Eric really need to hear Hadley decline him once again, or endure yet another rebuff? He had no desire to subject himself to that ordeal; self-pity was not in his nature.

Seeing Eric's decision, Phillips and the twin bodyguards exchanged glances, understanding it was best not to question their employer's directive.

As the clock struck seven that evening, Hadley spoke softly to the nurse.

"I need to step outside for a bit. I'll be just out front. Callif anything comes up." "Understood." Hadley grabbed her backpack and headed out.

By this time, Eric and his team had already finished their meal. Xander and Theodore had left, with only Phillips remaining, deep in a business call.

Hadley focused straight ahead, ignoring her surroundings, and made her way to the kitchen.

From her backpack, she retrieved a lunchbox containing boiled corn-on-the-cob and hard-boiled eggs.

The eggs were straightforward enough, but the cold corn-on-the-cob required more effort to eat.

She placed it in the microwave and set the timer for three minutes.

Removing the heated food, she exclaimed, "Ah, that's hot!" Just then, Eric entered to fetch a glass of water.

He acted as if he hadn't noticed her and refilled his glass. He was about to leave just as Hadley bit into her dinner.

Could that really be all she was having for dinner? It seemed even scantier than her lunch, which had included noodles and vegetables.

Eric's gaze lingered on her, his expression impassive. "What is wrong with you, Hadley?" "What?" Caught off guard by his question, Hadley looked up, only to find Eric already walking out.

0.0% 19:16 Left alone, Hadley continued eating, perplexed.

It seemed Eric's hatred for her extended even to her dietary choices. She was at a loss for words.

Later that night, Hadley remained vigilant at the bedside. Eric, unable to compete with her determination, resigned himself to the sofa nearby.

Both were too cautious to fall into a deep sleep, snatching only brief moments of rest.

Suddenly, the quiet was shattered by the loud beeping of a monitor.

"Beep... Beep..." Instantly, Hadley leapt from her seat.

She seized Nyla's hand, concerned. “Nyla, can you hear me? What's happening?" Eric sprang from the sofa, alarmed. "What's wrong?" Both Hadley and Eric fixated on the monitor. Though neither could fully interpret the readings, the display for blood oxygen levels was an alarming red, a clear sign of distress that was hard to miss.

"Get the doctor, now!" "Right!" Frantically, Hadley pressed the call button beside the bed as Eric raced out of the room shouting, "Doctor! Nurse!" Within moments, the medical team burst into the room.

"Please, give us room!" the doctor instructed.

As the nurse drew the curtain to shield the bed, Eric and Hadley were pushed back. They were starting an urgent procedure, one not suitable for non-medical observers.

Although Hadley and Eric were outside the curtain, neither felt compelled to depart.

They stayed close, straining to hear the medical team's urgent discussions.

"There's a blockage from the mucus! We need to clear it!" "The suction isn't strong enough; it's too dense!" "Try diluting it with saline!" "Understood!" Suddenly, another urgent voice emerged. "This isn't working! The mucus won't clear!" Eric listened intently, his hands clenched, his face etched with worry.

"I can handle it!" While Eric hesitated, considering his next move, Hadley didn't wait. She swept aside the curtain and moved swiftly to the bedside.

20.5% D 19:16 O < "Hadley!" Eric extended his hand to pull her back but was too late.

"Why are you here? This area is off-limits to family members!" "Doctor!" Caught in the crisis, Hadley wasted no time. "I can do this!" "Do you intend to..." "Hadley, don't make things worse here!" Eric had rushed in behind her, intent on intervening.

However, he and the doctor were too slow to react.

Swiftly, Hadley leaned forward, positioning herself over Nyla.

Eric's eyes opened wide, struck by disbelief.

The scene unfolding was unexpected. Hadley was attempting to clear Nyla's airway using her own mouth.

Both the doctor and nurse paused, momentarily stunned by her actions.

Oblivious to their astonishment, Hadley lifted her head after clearing the obstruction.

"Dispose of it here!" The nurse quickly presented a bin, into which Hadley spat the mucus.

Panting from the exertion, she inquired, "Is it better now?" She felt the blockage had been removed, though she wasn't certain of the outcome.

"It is!" The nurse exclaimed, pointing to the monitor with a smile. "Look, her oxygen levels are improving" A look of relief washed over the doctor's face. "With the airway cleared, we can proceed with her medication Could the family please step outside now?" With a deep exhale, Hadley agreed. "Okay." As she began to turn away, she felt a gentle tug at her hand.

Confused, Hadley looked down. It was Nyla.

Nyla, who had just experienced severe breathing difficulties, was not fully conscious yet. Her eyes were only partly open, her awareness returning.

"Nyla" Gently, Hadley held her hand, reassuring her. "You're safe now. Everything's going to be okay Nyla was unable to speak, emitting only a soft murmur as tears began to roll down her cheeks. Tears welled up in Hadley's eyes as well; she felt a profound connection in that moment. "Please don't cry. I'm here for you." "1 Gradually, Nyla's hand relaxed, and she released her hold.

44.0% O 111 O Chapter 27 Maintain A Distance Between Them Hadley turned, letting out a sharp breath. The brief ordeal had left her soaked with wwe. And she felt the urgent need to clean her mouth.

As Hadley reached to draw back the curtain, someone else pulled it open.

Looking up, she saw Eric.

"Ahem." Eric cleared his throat, looking anywhere but at her. "You were heading to the washroom, right? vers go." "Sure." Leading the way, Hadley walked with Eric a few steps behind her.

Reacting swiftly earlier, she only had Nyla's safety in mind. Now the m adrenaline wearing off, leating her shaken. Entering the restroom, she stumbled on the threshold, "Be careful!" Eric quickly reached out, steadying her.

Hadley snapped back to awareness, hastily pulling away. "I'm fine, really." There it was again.

Eric watched as Hadley regained her composure, noting how she recoiled from his touch. He pondered if the really found him that repulsive. At this point, scolding her wasn't an option... She had just saved his grandmother.

Eric managed to hold back his irritation from her earlier recoil, grabbed a cup, filled it with water, and offered it to her. "Here, you should rinse out your mouth." "Thank you." Hadley accepted the cup gratefully and proceeded to rinse at the sink.

Watching her from the side, Eric paused before saying, "You don't need to thank me. In fact, I owe you thanks. Really, Hadley, thank you." "Huh?" Hadley turned slowly, almost as if she couldn't believe what she heard. What did he just say? "I'm saying thank you," Eric responded, trying to ease the tension. "For what you did for Grandma.* Understanding dawned on Hadley, and she offered a slight smile. "It's nothing. I didn't do it for you. Nyla took care offor five years. Helping her was the least I could do." Putting aside the past four years, Hadley knew how much she owed to Nyla for welcoming her into her hwhen she had no one to turn to.

It was a logical response. Yet, Eric sensed that Hadley was maintaining a distance between them.

He had always desired this separation. But now, it unexpectedly irked him.

"You're entitled to your feelings, but expressing thanks is my prerogative." He looked at Hadley thoughtfully. "What do you need? Nit, and I'll provide it as a gesture of my gratitude.” 68.1% 1916 O < Chapter 27 Maintain A Distance Between Them "There's no need..." "Con, tell me!" Eric's patience was waning. "I hate being in someone's debt. Just tellwhat you want!"

Hadley understood then. Eric feared she might see this as an opportunity to reattach herself to him: His offer was a way to settle any perceived debt and ensure she remained distant. 100.0% Recommended for you COMPLETED mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1