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.

0.0%

< 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 at

come in–take

held several other troupe

“Now that we’re all gathered, let’s

discussion was

ones to the lead dancers of two groups, which might force a halt to

was to oversee initial treatments at the hospital before arranging a chartered flight back to Srixby. Once there, all the following performances would need to

out the details, divvying up responsibilities to ensure everything was

see to your tasks diligently. While we’re still in Blathe, keep the lines of communication tight

“Yes, Ms. Nicolson.”

“Understood, Ms. Nicolson.”

pocket and discreetly jotted down her assigned duties. With the lead dancers sidelined by their injuries, she would

attention. The days ahead promised to be

She intended to check on

confirm the date of Joy’s surgery,

she answered. “Dr. Williams?”

“Can you come to the hospital?”

already here at the hospital!” Hadley let out a soft laugh.

22.7%

O

20:42

Her Hopes Were

quickened her steps

she caught sight of Mathias. “Dr. Williams!” she

Mathias‘ face stopped her short. It wasn’t one of reassurance.

dimmed. “Apologies–I got carried away. I’ll keep my voice down.”

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

“Of course.”

moment, she hadn’t had the faintest inkling of the heartbreak

“Dr. Williams…”

She managed a frail smile, clinging to disbelief. “You’re pulling

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

Hadley’s chest, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Her voice quivered as she spoke. “But…

and remorse. “The donor withdrew at the eleventh hour.

hair, frustration evident. “I should’ve prepared you for this possibility.

just like that, Hadley’s hopes were shattered

“Dr. Williams!”

was the donor? Can you tell me? I

halting her spiraling thoughts. “You need to take a step back! That’s against

eyes growing even redder as the weight of

What would become

a mother’s anguish. “Don’t let this break you. Other

now, but

to endless hospital visits and treatments. At best, they could keep her stable–for

thread of

49.3%

Chapter 156 Her Hopes Were Shattered Into