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.

she supposed to find that kind

time to

day, Nyla was growing

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

“Nyla.”

she

been their first encounter since that explosive argument at Galant.

“Come, sit.”

smile 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 for what–a few weeks? And you’ve already shrunk to half

who 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

slipped

“Serves her right,” Eric mused bitterly. She

you laughing

sharp ears caught him off guard.

Eric hesitated, clearing his

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

had showered her

had already shared plenty with

head. “Nyla, I do

you. Take

otherwise. “I chose things that will do you good–food, daily necessities. Do not let them go

her mind, Hadley still lived at Silver Villas.

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

been

tip Nyla off. With

them, then.”

you acting like

you hear what I just said? Why are you so quiet all

lost your

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

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

Is that enough?”

sneered. Did Hadley really care about

while, Hadley and Eric rose

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

West Twelfth Alley, Eric at the

entrance, the car rolled to

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

lock of hair

mood darkened

carrying

a long stretch and up the stairs? It was impossible

she really think he was just

bent down to