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

Chapter 50 Hadley, Don’t

You Dare!

“Yes,”

Mathias didn’t dance around the truth. Over the years, he had witnessed Hadley’s struggles unfold right before

his eyes.

“Joy’s name finally made it onto the list!”

Hadley froze. For a moment, it was as if the world had stopped spinning, Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, their weight pressing against her resolve.

She clenched her fists, willing herself not to break. “Th–thank you, Dr. Williams.”

Emotion swelled in her chest, so vast that words felt like a foreign concept.

“Why are you thanking me?” Mathias chuckled.

“I hardly lifted a finger. You are the one who’s been running yourself ragged. Now, once the surgery is done, Joy will finally be free from this agony.”

“Yes… that is right.”

“Speaking of which,” Mathias added, his voice steady, “you’ll need to gather the surgery fees fast.”

Hadley’s heart lurched.

The corners of her mouth, which had barely begun to lift, flattened again. Of course–the cost. That enormous, suffocating weight still loomed over her.

“Roughly… how much?” she asked, her voice uneven.

“About five hundred thousand dollars,” Mathias answered without hesitation.

Five hundred thousand dollars!

She had braced herself for a hefty sum, had scrimped and saved every penny, but hearing the actual number still sent a chill down her spine.

Balancing meals on the table for herself and Joy had always been an uphill battle–one that felt endless. The monthly medical bills piled up like clockwork, as relentless as the tide.

Even with all her sacrifices, her savings were nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

Mathias knew bits and pieces of her financial struggles. “You better move quickly. The surgery could happen as soon as two months or stretch out to six. There’s no telling.”

19-29

As a doctor, his hands were tied beyond that.

“I understand,” Hadley murmured.

When the call ended, she found herself teetering on the edge of hope and despair.

Joy finally had a chance! A real chance at healing! But the money… Two months, six tops.

she supposed to find that kind

hectic schedule, Hadley carved out time

Nyla

in Nyla’s voice, and a touch of color had returned to

“Nyla.”

stepped inside, she noticed another

had been their first encounter since

“Come, sit.”

am feeling much better. Before you know

“I am fine…”

Nyla gave her a scrutinizing once–over. “You’ve only been back in Srixby for what–a few weeks? And you’ve

who had been silent, flicked

mind wandered to her cramped little place on West Twelfth Alley. No matter how many times he thought about it, he couldn’t make sense

chuckle slipped past his

her right,” Eric mused bitterly. She had no one to blame

you

sharp ears caught him off

his throat awkwardly. “It’s nothing.”

him. “Before you leave, take some of these back

visitors had

seams with them. She had already shared plenty with the doctors and nurses, but there was still

shook her head. “Nyla, I do not need them.”

for you. Take them.”

to hear otherwise. “I chose things that will do you good–food, daily necessities. Do not

her mind, Hadley still lived at Silver Villas.

needed, so if anyone had to move

have been her.

that declining too forcefully might tip Nyla off. With a reluctant nod,

take them, then.”

are you acting like we

you hear what I just said? Why are you so quiet all of a sudden?

lost your

you loud and clear.” Eric begrudgingly acknowledged her words, his voice laced

fret, Grandma. I will make sure both she and the things

Is that enough?”

sneered. Did Hadley really care about any of this?

while, Hadley and Eric rose to

each item a small weight added to a

silence, they drove to West Twelfth Alley, Eric at the wheel and Hadley nestled

the car rolled to

from the trunk, setting them down

tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Just leave them here.

mood darkened

on carrying them

and up the

think he was just

turmoil, Hadley bent