Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 156 Her Hopes

Were Shattered Into Pieces

Hadley, still frail and powerless to push back, merely let her eyelids drift shut, opting to tune Eric out entirely.

Was this her way of quietly digging in her heels?

Eric let out a wry, self–mocking smile. “Do you despise me?” he asked softly.

Of course, Hadley didn’t dignify that with a response, and he hadn’t truly expected her to.

“You’re well aware, more than anyone, that the mess we’re in today traces back to Wilma. I’m merely playing the hand I’ve been dealt. You and Denver would part ways one way or another tonight–Wilma would make sure of it. And trust me, had it not been for me, you would have been in a far worse state than you are now.” Hadley kept her eyes squeezed shut, her lashes trembling ever so slightly, her fists balled up tightly as she remained mute.

A soft sigh escaped Eric’s lips. “Just… get some rest.”

Gazing at Hadley’s defiant expression, he thought to himself, “What’s the use? There was no sense in debating this further. Why tangle with a woman whose heart was still mending?”

When Hadley stirred from her slumber, the room was empty.

When had Eric slipped away? She couldn’t quite pinpoint it. The drug had lulled her into a deep calm, and sleep had claimed her soon after.

Testing her limbs, she felt a renewed vigor.

With a stretch of her arms, she propped herself up and noticed her clothes neatly folded by the bedside.

Eric hadn’t taken liberties while she was unconscious. Not that she pegged him as a saint–far from it.

He simply wasn’t interested–that much she knew all too well.

Even during their marriage, he had shown no desire to touch her.

Rising to her feet and slipping into her clothes, her phone suddenly buzzed to life.

It was Blanche on the line.

“Hello, Ms. Nicolson.”

In the recent calamity, Blanche had been among the worst injured. Over the phone, she asked Hadley to come to the hospital.

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< Chapter 156 Her Hopes Were Shattered Into Pieces

“Of course, Ms. Nicolson.”

After hanging up, Hadley hastened to the hospital.

She would have gone regardless of Blanche’s request.

Many of her troupe colleagues had been hurt, and she wanted to see if she could lend a hand in any way.

“Ms. Nicolson.”

private room

come in–take a seat.”

troupe members–dancers and

settle down. “Now that we’re all gathered, let’s keep this short and cut

heart of the discussion was the recent

including severe ones to the lead dancers of two groups, which might

let out a heavy sigh. “It’s out of our hands. Accidents occur, and sometimes we’re at the mercy of fate.” Her plan was to oversee initial treatments at the hospital before

up responsibilities to

to your tasks diligently. While we’re still in Blathe, keep the

“Yes, Ms. Nicolson.”

“Understood, Ms. Nicolson.”

her assigned duties. With the lead dancers sidelined by their injuries, she would not only perform in her own group but also step into the starring roles for

the stage, a mountain of logistical tasks awaited her attention. The

in a deep breath to steady herself. She intended to check on Elissa next

out to confirm the date of Joy’s surgery, she mused.

tone brightened as she answered.

the reply. “Can you come to the

let out a soft laugh. “Just

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Her Hopes Were Shattered Into

quickened her

the corridor, she caught sight of Mathias. “Dr. Williams!”

her short. It wasn’t

dimmed. “Apologies–I got carried away.

furrowed as he motioned toward his office. “Let’s

“Of course.”

faintest inkling of the

“Dr. Williams…”

hearing Mathias‘ words, Hadley’s face drained of color. She managed a frail smile, clinging to

Joy was admitted over six months ago, I’ve held

chest, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Her voice quivered

a heavy sigh, his face etched with both helplessness and remorse. “The donor withdrew at the eleventh hour. It

his hair, frustration evident. “I should’ve prepared you for this possibility. It’s not the first time such things

Hadley’s hopes were shattered

“Dr. Williams!”

brief moment before blurting out, “Who was the donor?

Mathias interjected swiftly, halting her spiraling thoughts. “You need to take a step back! That’s against the

place, her eyes growing even redder as the weight of

now? What would become of

said gently, understanding the depths of a mother’s anguish. “Don’t let this break you. Other chances will come… Joy’s condition isn’t critical just yet…”

fine now, but what

endless hospital visits and treatments. At best, they could

what if that fragile thread

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156 Her Hopes Were Shattered Into Pieces