The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 258

Chapter 258: Money

Vivian crossed the room in three long strides, dropping to her knees beside Maya's bed so she could pull the little girl into the tightest, most relieved embrace imaginable. She buried her face in Maya's soft curls as tears streamed freely down her cheeks, warm saltwater mingling with the flecks of drying blood speckled across her skin.

"Thank God, thank God you're okay..." Vivian murmured fervently, cradling the back of Maya's head tenderly. Her body slumped, as if every ounce of tension was finally being

exhaled. They had made it against all odds.

Maya shifted in her arms, tilting her head back to regard her aunt with concern. "You got some ouches, Auntie Viv," she remarked plainly, raising a tiny hand to dab at a tear trailing down Vivian's jaw,

"I'm just so happy to see you, baby," Vivian managed in a cracked whisper. "So, so happy."

She held Maya for several more long moments, soaking in the simple act of watching the girl's chest rising and falling steadily with each breath. This same little girl who had been in and out of hospital beds, hooked up to IVs and monitoring equipment ever since the first signs of her renal failure had been detected at age two. Vivian silently renewed her vow to ensure this would be the last time she had to endure this sterile, frightening environment as a patient.

At last, she pulled back and did her utmost to plaster on a reassuring smile, gently brushing, Maya's unruly curls away from her forehead.

"Are you scared at all for your surgery, sweetheart?" Her voice was tender, soothing. "It's totally okay if you are. Being brave doesn't mean you can't be a little scared too."

To Vivian's surprise, the cherubic little girl's face scrunched up matter-of-factly as she shook her head adamantly. "Nope! Not scared one bit. The doctors tol' me they're gonna make me all better. And then I get a new ninja kidney!"

She giggled, clearly envisioning some sort of small assassin organ working its way into her tiny body. Vivian couldn't help but laugh wetly at her niece's pure, childlike wonder and imagination. Even now, surrounded by the cold realities of life-saving medical procedures and recovery wards, Maya somehow retained that spark of youthful joy.

right, kiddo," Vivian murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to Maya's

the whole time, okay? You just rest

her pillows as the surgical team began filtering into the room. Vivian stood smoothly,

for your big adventure,"

Chapter 258: Money

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ease. "We're going to give you some sleepy medicine first so you don't

hint of fear or anxiety whatsoever as the sedative began dripping into her IV line.

team began wheeling the bed toward the operating suite. Only when Joe materialized at her elbow, his

her gaze away.

followed the procession down the hallway. "Nobody gets in or out of this

was screaming to continue shadowing Maya's gurney like a protective lioness. She wanted to be right there, keeping watch over

no matter how badly her heart twisted at being forced to separate. Her place would have to be in the surgical waiting room until it was all

drying blood and gunpowder residue from the earlier attack. More than one set of eyes raked over her in confusion and muted horror before the realization dawned that she was likely awaiting news on her own loved one. Hours seemed to bleed together after that, Vivian curled in a hard plastic chair directly

been?" She asked dazedly, attempting to blink

sentry beside her chair. " Transplant procedures can take a while from start

anxiety and fatigue would only prove disrespectful to the immense care she was receiving. Draining the fresh cup of coffee in a few scalding gulps, she sat up straighter in her plasticky seat, her shoulders squaring with a renewed sense of

Chapter 258: Money

childlike calm and wonder, then the absolute least

had elapsed, watching as sunlight began filtering through the bank of tall windows overlooking the city skyline. Morning had given way to midday, lazy golden warmth spilling across the room's linoleum floors

feet as one of the surgical team members strode out, already unsnapping the loop of his face mask