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 at the

come in–take a

Blanche, the room held several other troupe

for everyone to settle down. “Now that we’re all gathered, let’s keep

of the discussion

dancers of two groups, which might

mercy of fate.” Her plan was to oversee initial treatments at the hospital before arranging a chartered flight back to Srixby. Once there, all the following performances

the details, divvying up responsibilities to ensure

reminder. “Everyone, see to your tasks diligently. While we’re still in Blathe, keep the lines

“Yes, Ms. Nicolson.”

“Understood, Ms. Nicolson.”

slipped her phone from her pocket and discreetly jotted down her assigned duties. With the lead dancers sidelined by their injuries, she would not only perform in her own group but also

her attention. The days

She intended to check on Elissa next when her phone buzzed to

the date of Joy’s surgery,

as she answered. “Dr.

Pearson.” came the reply. “Can you come to

Hadley let out a soft laugh. “Just give

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Her Hopes Were Shattered Into Pieces

she quickened

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

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

“Apologies–I got carried away. I’ll keep

though his brow furrowed as

“Of course.”

she hadn’t had the faintest inkling of the heartbreak awaiting her.

“Dr. Williams…”

frail smile, clinging to disbelief. “You’re pulling my leg, aren’t you? This can’t

over six months ago, I’ve held onto

eyes brimming with unshed tears. Her voice quivered as she spoke. “But… Isn’t there anything

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

a hand through his hair, frustration evident. “I should’ve prepared you for this possibility. It’s not the first

like that, Hadley’s hopes

“Dr. Williams!”

squeezed her eyes shut for a brief moment before blurting out, “Who was the donor? Can you tell me? I need to speak with them–I’ll plead if I have to.”

thoughts. “You need to take

eyes growing even redder as the weight of

would become of

understanding the depths of a mother’s anguish. “Don’t let this

was fine now, but what about tomorrow?

Joy would be tethered to endless hospital visits and

what if that fragile thread of hope unraveled entirely?

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Chapter 156 Her Hopes Were