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

Chapter 157 Never Separate Again

“What?”

Eric was startled. The innocence of such a young child asking about something so profound like death caught him off guard.

He observed Joy, clad in a small hospital gown, which reminded him that she was not just any child; she was a patient here. What could her condition be?

The thought of explaining the concept of death to a child so young seemed daunting.

After a brief pause, Eric chose his words carefully. “It’s like traveling to a place that’s very, very far away.”

“Far away?” Joy’s small forehead creased in thought. “Does that mean I can’t see my mom anymore?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Eric responded slowly, regretting the confirmation.

He reflected on how often Joy mentioned her mother, yet never her father. Her attachment to her mom was evident.

“Oh,” Joy muttered, her expression turning somber. “Thanks, I get it now.”

“Joy!” The call came from across the room.

It was the same nurse as before, calling out with urgency. “Joy!”

Joy waved enthusiastically. “She’s calling for me. I have to go now! Bye–bye!”

“Goodbye…”

Eric hadn’t even finished his thought when the little girl had dashed away. He remained crouched down, watching the nurse scoop Joy up and hurry off with her.

A shadow fell over his emotions unexpectedly.

Was it the thought of this brief encounter ending, knowing she might soon be heading to “a faraway place“?

“Joy!” The urgency in Hadley’s voice echoed through the hospital corridor.

Spotting the nurse with Joy in her arms, Hadley moved swiftly toward them, her face etched with concern.

“Mommy…”

“Where did you wander off to?”

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Hadley grabbed Joy and gave her a light pat on the bottom. To her, that was as harsh as a punishment could

get!

“Didn’t I ask you to stay put? Why weren’t you listening? You know you’re supposed to be resting.”

“Waaah…”

Joy as her little face crumpled in

the sight of her daughter in tears, Hadley’s resolve melted away–her heart

such a moment, it was unbearable.

mirrored in her own eyes, Joy noticed her mother’s distress and sobbed

“Mommy!”

Joy clumsily reached out to touch her mother’s face, trying to

don’t cry. Joy was wrong.

fought to maintain

meant.”

“Someone said I was going to die. I

her

the nurse’s face

I will find out who was

scared… Joy won’t leave, won’t go to a faraway place

What?

aback, struggling to grasp what

mister just told me that dying means

don’t want to be away from you. You don’t want to

down Joy’s face uncontrollably, pulling

yet so aware

“Joy!”

her arms around Joy soothingly. “Don’t cry, my darling. You’re not going anywhere. This time, when I

“Really?”

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Never Separate Again

her eyes shining with hope as she gazed up at

“Really, Mommy?”

“Yes, my love.”

in her eyes, tenderly wiped away Joy’s

had initially left Joy in Blathe

backing off and the surgery off the table,

“Yay!”

mood transformed instantly, her

Mom! Being with Mom is the best!”

child, their mother’s presence was their

darling.” Hadley chuckled as she lifted Joy, teasing her gently. “You’ve cried

“Okay!”

hand, whether to call

ring broke the silence in Eric’s room.

need your help with something. Denver’s

washed over Eric.

An accident? Denver?

tightened with worry. “What exactly

car accident. That’s all I know,” Marshall responded, his voice strained. “Aunt Wilma was too upset to give me any details over the phone. She sounded overwhelmed, unsure

replied, his decision

in dire straits required no second