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.

earth was she supposed to find that kind of cash?

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

Nyla

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

“Nyla.”

Hadley stepped inside, she noticed another

since that

“Come, sit.”

gracing her lips. “I am feeling much better. Before you know it,

“I am fine…”

gave her a scrutinizing once–over. “You’ve only been back in Srixby

silent, flicked his gaze toward Hadley.

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

dry chuckle slipped past his

weight? “Serves her right,” Eric mused bitterly. She had no

you laughing at?”

sharp ears caught him

his throat awkwardly.

finger at him. “Before you leave, take

stay, visitors had showered her

plenty with the doctors and nurses, but there was still an overwhelming

shook her head. “Nyla, I do not

you.

good–food, daily necessities. Do not let them go to waste. Eric will help bring them back to Silver Villas.”

Hadley still lived at Silver Villas.

so if anyone had

have been her.

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

them,

acting like we are strangers?”

“Did you hear what I just

lost your tongue?”

Eric begrudgingly acknowledged her words,

to fret, Grandma. I will make sure both she and the things arrive home safely.

Is that enough?”

sneered. Did Hadley really care about any of this?

a while, Hadley and Eric rose to leave

the gifts into the trunk of Eric’s car, each item a small weight added to a

they drove to West Twelfth Alley, Eric at the

entrance, the car

demeanor, Eric silently unloaded the items from

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

mood darkened further.

planned on carrying them

stretch and up the stairs? It was impossible to do in

he was just a useless

bent down