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.

to find that kind of

her hectic schedule, Hadley carved out time to visit Nyla at the

day, Nyla was

came.” There was warmth in Nyla’s voice, and a touch

“Nyla.”

inside, she noticed another

their first encounter since that explosive argument at

“Come, sit.”

took Hadley’s hand, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “I am feeling much better. Before you know it, I will be

“I am fine…”

back in Srixby for what–a few weeks? And you’ve already shrunk to half your

been silent, flicked his gaze toward

little place on West Twelfth Alley. No matter how many times he thought about it,

chuckle slipped past his lips.

mused bitterly. She had no one to blame but

are you

caught him off guard.

clearing his throat awkwardly. “It’s

him. “Before you leave, take some

had showered her with gifts.

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

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

are for you. Take

daily necessities. Do not let them go to waste. Eric will help

her mind, Hadley still lived at

had more properties than he needed, so if anyone had

been

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

them, then.”

like

I just said?

you lost your

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

need to fret, Grandma. I will make sure

Is that enough?”

Eric sneered. Did Hadley really care

Eric rose

each item a small weight added to

Alley, Eric at the wheel and Hadley

entrance, the

Eric silently unloaded the items from the trunk, setting them down on

lock of hair behind her ear. “Just leave them here. I’ll

darkened

planned on carrying them

heavy loads over a long stretch and up the stairs? It

she really think he was just a useless spectator?

bent down to grab the