You are not a heartless bitch. I'm calling BS on this woman. She is PLAYING you. She knows that you are a nice person and will feel bad about that statement that she can't feed her family. If someone was that hard up for money, she wouldn't be able to afford even one more day in daycare, but she can afford two weeks more? Whether the money is there or not is a matter of priorities. Does she still have cable? A cell phone bill? A gym membership? If she is hard up, she needs to get rid of all the extras in her life and pay her outstanding bills. I would just simply write back that you can sympathize with her situation as her not paying you will put you in the same exact situation, and that your income is NOT disposable. Therefore, you will need to enforce the contract or you will see them in court (or send them to collections). I bet they will figure out how to get the money to you. If not, you just show the judge the signed contract and then they will owe your money AND your legal fees. Not your problem!