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

out time to visit Nyla at

day, Nyla was growing stronger.

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

“Nyla.”

Hadley stepped inside, she noticed another

encounter since that explosive

“Come, sit.”

Before you know it, I will be back home.

“I am fine…”

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

had been silent, flicked his gaze toward

wandered to her 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

dry chuckle slipped

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

you laughing at?”

sharp ears caught him off guard.

hesitated, clearing his

at him. “Before you leave, take some of these back

stay, visitors had showered her with

practically bursting at the seams with them. She had already shared plenty with the doctors

“Nyla, I do not need

for you. Take

refused to hear otherwise. “I chose things that will do you good–food, daily necessities. Do not let them go to waste. Eric will help bring them back to Silver Villas.”

mind, Hadley still

he needed, so if

have been

off. With a reluctant nod, she relented. “Thank you.

take them, then.”

acting like we

Eric with a glare. “Did you hear what I just

lost

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

need to fret, Grandma. I will make sure both

Is that enough?”

Hadley really care about any of this?

and Eric rose to leave

trunk of Eric’s car, each item a

Eric at the wheel and Hadley

alley entrance, the

items from the trunk, setting

irritated expression. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind

darkened

on carrying

stretch and up the stairs? It

was just a useless spectator?

inner turmoil, Hadley bent down