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

**Clocks Lie To Hearts by Asa River Flint**
**Chapter 37**

“A fire couldn’t kill me,” Louisa finally retorted, her voice sharp and frigid, reminiscent of the harshest winter frost. “What’s a little smoke inhalation?”

George winced at her cutting words, a jolt of pain striking him.

He had been to their home after the devastating fire. Her room, once a sanctuary filled with her essence, lay in ruins—everything reduced to a pile of ash, with four charred walls standing as the only witnesses to the life that had once thrived there.

The haunting memory sent a shiver down his spine. “What were you thinking?” he demanded, his brow knitting together in frustration. “Weren’t you afraid you might—”

But Louisa was all too aware of the unspoken fears lurking in his question. Of course, she had feared death, but what terrified her more was the prospect of a life shackled to him.

George’s frustration bubbled over at her silence. Through gritted teeth, he pressed, “Louisa! Talk to me. Is your work really that important to you?”

Silence hung heavy in the air, thick and suffocating.

“Was it truly about the job? Or was it about Julian?”

He knew all too well that it was Julian who had come to her rescue that fateful morning. Their easy camaraderie gnawed at him, planting seeds of doubt about the depth of their connection.

His voice hardened, laced with suspicion. “What exactly is your relationship with him?”

That question snapped her attention back to him. Louisa’s eyes widened, and she shot him an icy glare that could freeze fire. “What do you think our relationship is?”

George opened his mouth, ready to defend himself, but she cut him off with a fierce intensity.

“Just because you cheat, you assume everyone else 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 about?” George bristled, anger coursing through him at the passion in her voice, especially when he mentioned Julian.

With a swift motion, he pulled out her phone, determination flashing in his eyes. “I’ll say this one more time—if you want to work, the Capulet Group will always welcome you. But the Tudor Group? That’s 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 that racked her body.

George instinctively reached for her, concern etching lines across his face. “Babe, are you alright?”

“Don’t touch me!” She shoved his hands away with surprising force, her eyes blazing with defiance.

George tossed her phone aside in frustration. “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 splintered at his audacity. Words escaped her as another coughing fit overtook her, leaving her gasping for breath.

Alarmed, George rushed to summon a doctor, his heart pounding with worry.

After examining her, the doctor pulled George aside while Louisa fought to regain her breath.

“Are you her husband?” the doctor inquired, his tone professional yet probing.

“No, he’s not,” Louisa interjected firmly, her voice steady despite her weakness.

George shot her a complicated look, a mix of hurt and confusion, but he held his tongue, choosing not to contradict her.

“The patient is extremely weak,” the doctor warned, his brow furrowing in concern. “She’s inhaled a significant amount of smoke, and her lungs haven’t fully cleared. It’s crucial not to agitate her further.”

George nodded, swallowing his frustration. “I understand.”

Once they were alone again, George opened his mouth to speak, but Louisa beat him to the punch.

Teddy immediately surrendered his device, confusion evident on his face.

Julian scrolled through the contacts, found Louisa’s number, and dialed with purpose.

Back in her hospital room, Louisa sat upright, her stomach pain finally easing, the tension in her body slowly dissipating.

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, sending a jolt through her.

Thinking she had misheard, Louisa pulled the phone away to check the caller ID. It definitely displayed Teddy’s number.

Cautiously, she returned the phone to her ear, her heart racing. “Mr. Tudor?”

“So you do remember me after all.” His tone was neutral, yet she could detect a hint of sarcasm lurking beneath the surface.

Why would he be sarcastic with her?

Then it hit her like a bolt of lightning—George had sent that resignation message in her name.

Julian continued, his voice steady, “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, urgency creeping into her voice. “George sent that message from my phone. I never intended to resign, so…”

She paused, gathering her thoughts, 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?”