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.”

Melba had navigated the challenges of single parenthood herself, she deeply understood Hadley’s

nodded. “It’s late. I’ll go wash

replied, smiling. As Hadley headed toward the bathroom, she called back,

clothes she was folding,

Joy’s room. The little girl was sprawled across the bed like a tiny frog, head

??? ?????

as she touched her daughter’s forehead. With

light blanket, beads of perspiration dotting her brow, Hadley stretched out on the narrow bed beside her child, though she wasn’t quite sleepy

that ever since returning to Srixby,

she was expecting

bit more time, and you’ll be going to school

her eyes, blinking against the sudden wetness

rich aroma of breakfast wafted through the

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

first,

ritual was something Hadley had taught