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

Chapter 568:

It was both humiliating and incredibly painful, a sting that was new to him.

Hadley returned to her apartment to find Joy already tucked in for the night.

Melba, however, was still awake, seated on the sofa and folding laundry fresh from the dryer.

Noticing Hadley enter, Melba whispered, “Hey, you’re back? Joy’s asleep. Once I finish here, I’ll go sit with her.”

“Thank you for everything, Melba,” Hadley said earnestly.

It wasn’t mere courtesy; she meant every word.

Joy’s special needs demanded extra care, even during the late hours. Though Melba was compensated, tending to Joy’s nighttime routine required more than just a paycheck—it took genuine kindness.

“You’re too sweet,” Melba replied with a gentle laugh. “I raised my daughter on my own too, so I know how tough it can be sometimes.”

had navigated the challenges of single parenthood herself, she deeply

I’ll go wash up.

toward the bathroom, she called back, “I’ll stay with Joy tonight. You deserve

returning to the clothes she was folding,

across the bed like a tiny frog, head turned sideways, with her small mouth slightly open

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she touched her

her brow, Hadley stretched out on the narrow bed beside her child,

that ever since returning to Srixby, their

she

daughter’s plump little fist. “My brave, strong darling—just a bit more time, and you’ll be going to

closed her eyes, blinking against the sudden wetness

aroma of

emerged from the bedroom, gently carrying Joy and settling her on the sofa before handing her

water first,

ritual was something Hadley had taught