After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 37

"A fire couldn't kill me," Louisa finally replied, her voice as cold as winter frost. "What's a little smoke inhalation?"

George flinched at her words.

He'd visited their home after the fire. Her room was devastated—everything reduced to ash, four blackened walls the only testament that a living space had once existed.

The memory sent a chill through him. "What were you thinking?" he demanded, brow furrowed. "Weren't you afraid you might—"

She knew his unspoken words. Of course she had feared death. But she'd feared a life imprisoned by him more.

George's frustration mounted at her silence. Through clenched teeth, he pressed, "Louisa! Talk to me. Is working really so important to you?"

Silence answered him.

"Was it really about the job? Or was it about Julian?"

He knew Julian had been the one to rescue her that morning. Their easy rapport made him question if there wasn't something deeper between them.

His voice hardened with suspicion. "What exactly is your relationship with him?"

That got her attention. Louisa's eyes snapped open, fixing him with an icy glare. "What do you think our relationship is?"

George opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off.

"Just because you cheat, you assume everyone is as filthy as you are? Or do you need to label me unfaithful too, so you can sleep better at night beside your mistress?"

"What nonsense are you talking?" George bristled at the passion in her voice after he mentioned Julian.

He pulled out her phone. "I'll say it one more time—if you want to work, the Capulet Group will always have a place for you. But the Tudor Group is out of the question. I'll decline their offer on your behalf."

"You wouldn't dare!" Louisa lunged for her phone, but the sudden movement triggered a violent coughing fit.

George reached for her, concern flashing across his face. "Babe, are you alright?"

"Don't touch me!" She shoved his hands away with surprising strength.

George tossed her phone aside. "I've already declined the job offer and deleted Julian from your contacts. You won't have any further connection with him."

Even Louisa's legendary composure shattered at his audacity. Words failed her as another coughing fit wracked her body.

Alarmed, George rushed to summon a doctor.

After examining her, the doctor pulled George aside while Louisa caught her breath.

"Are you her husband?" the doctor asked.

"No, he's not," Louisa interjected firmly.

George gave her a complicated look but didn't contradict her.

"The patient is extremely weak," the doctor cautioned. "She's inhaled significant smoke, and her lungs haven't fully cleared. It's important not to agitate her further."

George nodded. "I understand."

When they were alone again, George started to speak, but Louisa beat him to it.

"I'm exhausted," she said flatly. "I need rest. Please leave."

"I'm staying with you." His response came without hesitation.

In the past, she might have let it go, too weary to argue.

But now? After he'd imprisoned her, blocked her career, and had the audacity to interfere with her professional relationships?

"Get out," she said, each word deliberate. "I don't want you here."

George seethed inwardly but feared worsening her condition. Reluctantly, he left.

The moment he was gone, Louisa grabbed her phone. Sure enough, Julian had been completely erased from her contacts—no trace that he'd ever existed there.

She had no idea what excuse George had given him.

The bastard.

She clutched her stomach as anger twisted it into knots.

---

Meanwhile, at Seraphim, Julian had just received Louisa's supposed resignation message.

It was brief: [I'm sorry, but I can't accept the position at the Tudor Group. My apologies.]

The style seemed like hers—direct and concise.

He didn't respond immediately. His expression remained neutral, but a distinct chill radiated from him.

Teddy, who'd also seen the message, muttered, "That's strange. Ms. Forbes doesn't strike me as irresponsible."

After a moment of silence, Julian extended his hand. "Give me your phone."

Teddy immediately surrendered his device.

Julian scrolled through the contacts, found Louisa's number, and dialed.

Back in her hospital room, Louisa sat upright, her stomach pain finally subsiding.

When Teddy's number flashed on her screen, she answered without thinking, "Mr. Young? Do you need something?"

"It's me."

That deep, unmistakable voice flowed through the receiver.

Thinking she'd misheard, Louisa pulled the phone away to check the caller ID. It definitely showed Teddy's number.

Cautiously, she returned the phone to her ear. "Mr. Tudor?"

"So you do remember me after all." His tone was neutral, yet Louisa detected a hint of sarcasm.

Why would he be sarcastic with her?

Then it hit her—George had sent that resignation message in her name.

Julian continued, "Since you do remember who I am, couldn't you have resigned to my face instead of hiding behind a message?"

"That wasn't me," Louisa explained instinctively. "George sent that message from my phone. I never intended to resign, so..."

She paused, then asked tentatively, "Would it be possible for you to ignore that message? Could you hold the position for me for ten more days? Please?"