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 crumpled

the sight of her daughter in tears, Hadley’s

moment, it

in her own eyes, Joy noticed her

“Mommy!”

touch her mother’s face, trying to

Joy was wrong.

to maintain her composure. “Why didn’t you stay in your bed?”

meant.”

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

beat, her body turning ice cold.

nurse’s face showed discomfort.

some conversation… I will find

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

What?

grasp

just told me that dying means going to a very faraway place.”

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

down Joy’s face uncontrollably, pulling at Hadley’s

so aware of her

“Joy!”

going anywhere. This time, when I return to Srixby, you’re coming with me. We’ll always be together

“Really?”

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157 Never

hope

“Really, Mommy?”

“Yes, my love.”

her eyes, tenderly wiped away Joy’s

had initially left Joy in

the surgery off the

“Yay!”

transformed instantly, her

Mom! Being with Mom is the best!”

a child, their mother’s presence was their sanctuary, their

darling.” Hadley chuckled as she lifted Joy, teasing her gently. “You’ve cried enough. Let’s clean up and get you

“Okay!”

to call Hadley or

the silence in Eric’s room.

Marshall on the line, his tone laced with urgency. “Are you still in Blathe? I need your help with something. Denver’s been in an accident, and I can’t make it there. Can you

washed over Eric.

An accident? Denver?

voice tightened with worry. “What exactly happened, Marshall?”

responded, his voice strained. “Aunt Wilma was too upset to give me any details over the phone.

Eric replied, his

a friend in dire straits required no second