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.

absolutely right, kiddo," Vivian murmured, pressing a

whole time, okay? You just

surgical team began filtering into the room. Vivian stood smoothly, stepping back to allow the nurse to begin prepping her

Maya, it's time for your big adventure,"

Chapter 258: Money

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putting young patients at ease. "We're going to give you some sleepy

as the sedative began dripping into her IV line. Within minutes, her eyelids

remained rooted to the spot by Maya's bedside until the very last second, holding her niece's limp hand as the surgical team began wheeling the bed toward the operating suite. Only when Joe materialized at her elbow,

her gaze away.

the hallway. "Nobody gets

lip. Every maternal instinct within her was screaming to continue shadowing Maya's gurney like a protective lioness. She wanted to be right there, keeping watch over her beloved

no matter how badly her heart twisted at being forced to separate. Her place would have to

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 facing the operating room doors. She lost all sense of time, vacantly

asked dazedly, attempting to blink away the restless tiredness prickling at her

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

hung in the balance of the surgeons' skilled and patient hands right now. Wallowing in anxiety and fatigue would only prove disrespectful to the immense care she was receiving. Draining the fresh cup of coffee in a few scalding

Chapter 258: Money

the absolute least Vivian could do was sit vigil with purpose and fortitude to

wasn't sure how much more time 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 in gilded

already unsnapping the loop of his face mask