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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< Chapter 157 Never Separate Again

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…”

erupted from Joy as her little face

tears, Hadley’s

a moment, it

her own eyes, Joy noticed her

“Mommy!”

touch her mother’s face, trying to wipe away her tears.

cry. Joy

me…” Hadley’s voice wavered as she fought to maintain her composure. “Why didn’t you stay in

meant.”

shook with fear. “Someone said I was going to die. I wanted to

beat, her body turning

nurse’s face showed discomfort.

I will find out who

Through her tears, Joy pleaded, “Don’t cry, don’t be scared… Joy won’t leave, won’t go to a faraway place and leave

What?

was taken aback, struggling to grasp what Joy was trying to

just told me that dying means going to a very faraway

continued, “Mommy, I’m brave. I’m not scared of going to a faraway place, but I don’t want to be away from you. You don’t want to be away from me either, right? I don’t

down Joy’s face uncontrollably, pulling

so aware of her deep bond with

“Joy!”

my darling. You’re not going anywhere. This time, when I return to Srixby, you’re coming with me. We’ll always be

“Really?”

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Never Separate

ceased immediately, her eyes shining with hope as she gazed up at

“Really, Mommy?”

“Yes, my love.”

her eyes, tenderly wiped away Joy’s tears.

had initially left Joy in Blathe

and the surgery off the table, staying

“Yay!”

transformed instantly, her excitement

going home with Mom! Being with Mom is

mother’s presence was

“You’ve cried enough. Let’s clean up and get you ready

“Okay!”

to call Hadley

broke the silence in Eric’s

Blathe? I need your help with something. Denver’s been in an accident, and I can’t make

washed over Eric.

An accident? Denver?

voice tightened with worry. “What exactly

was too upset to give me any details over the phone. She sounded overwhelmed, unsure how to deal

replied, his

straits required no second thoughts.