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 find that kind

carved out time to visit Nyla at the

Nyla was growing stronger.

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

“Nyla.”

she noticed another presence–Eric.

encounter since that

“Come, sit.”

gracing her lips. “I am feeling much better. Before you know it, I will be back home.

“I am fine…”

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

who had been silent, flicked his gaze toward

No matter how many times he thought about

chuckle slipped past

bitterly. She had no one

you

ears caught

I…” Eric hesitated, clearing his throat

“Before you leave, take some

had

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

shook her head. “Nyla, I do

are for you.

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

still

had more properties than he needed, so if anyone had to

have been

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

them,

you acting like we are

turned to Eric with a glare. “Did you hear what I just said? Why are you so quiet

lost your tongue?”

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

no effort to hide. “No need to fret, Grandma. I will make sure both she and the things arrive

Is that enough?”

Hadley really care about any of

while, Hadley and Eric rose to

into the trunk of Eric’s car, each item

West Twelfth Alley, Eric at the wheel and Hadley

entrance, the car

from the trunk, setting

a stray lock of hair behind her

mood darkened further.

planned on carrying them herself?

and up the stairs? It was impossible to

she really think he was just a useless

turmoil, Hadley bent down to grab the