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

out time to visit Nyla at

by day, Nyla was growing

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

“Nyla.”

Hadley stepped inside, she

had been their first encounter since that explosive argument

“Come, sit.”

lips. “I am feeling much better. Before you

“I am fine…”

you!” 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

No matter how many times he thought about it, he couldn’t make sense of it. Why did she insist on living like that?

dry chuckle slipped

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

are you

caught

hesitated, clearing his throat

“Before you leave, take some of these back for Hadley.”

visitors had showered her

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

her head. “Nyla, I do

you. Take

Do not let

mind, Hadley still lived

so if anyone had to move after the separation,

been

forcefully might tip Nyla off. With a reluctant nod, she relented. “Thank you. I

them,

you acting like we are

what I

you lost

acknowledged her words, his voice laced with a reluctance

to fret, Grandma. I will make sure both she and

Is that enough?”

Did Hadley really care about any of this?

Hadley and Eric rose to

trunk of Eric’s car, each item a

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

alley entrance, the car rolled to a

a sullen demeanor, Eric silently unloaded the items from

his irritated expression. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind

mood darkened

planned on carrying them

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

he was just a

turmoil, Hadley bent down to grab the