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.

was she supposed to

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

day, Nyla was growing

you came.” There was warmth in Nyla’s voice, and a touch of color had

“Nyla.”

inside, she noticed another presence–Eric.

since that explosive argument at

“Come, sit.”

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

“I am fine…”

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

who had been silent, flicked

cramped little place on West Twelfth Alley. No matter how many times he thought about it, he couldn’t make sense of it. Why did she insist on living like

chuckle slipped past his

She had no one to blame

are you laughing at?”

ears caught him off guard.

clearing his

finger at him. “Before you leave, take some

stay, visitors had showered

was practically bursting at the seams with them. She had already shared plenty with the doctors and nurses, but

head. “Nyla, I

for you. Take them.”

Do not let them go to waste. Eric will help bring them back to Silver Villas.”

Hadley still lived

if anyone had to move after

been

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

take them,

are you acting like we are strangers?”

with a glare. “Did you hear what I

you lost

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

“No need to fret, Grandma. I will make sure

Is that enough?”

the surface, Eric sneered. Did Hadley really

and Eric

of Eric’s car, each item a small weight added

Eric at the wheel and Hadley nestled in the back

alley entrance, the car rolled to

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

noticed his irritated expression. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Just leave

mood darkened

planned on carrying them

loads over a long stretch and up the stairs? It was impossible to

think he was just

his inner turmoil, Hadley bent down to