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

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

such a moment,

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

“Mommy!”

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

cry. Joy was wrong.

she fought to maintain her composure.

meant.”

said I was going to die. I wanted to

skipped a beat, her body

nurse’s

I will

tears, Joy pleaded, “Don’t cry, don’t be scared… Joy won’t leave, won’t

What?

grasp what Joy was trying to

nice mister just told me that dying means going to a

be away from you. You don’t want to be away from me either, right? I don’t want to

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

yet so aware of her deep bond with her mother!

“Joy!”

Joy soothingly. “Don’t cry, my darling. You’re not going anywhere. This time, when I return to Srixby, you’re coming with me. We’ll always be together from

“Really?”

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157 Never Separate Again

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

“Really, Mommy?”

“Yes, my love.”

tears still in her eyes, tenderly wiped away Joy’s

initially left Joy in Blathe primarily

off and the surgery off the

“Yay!”

transformed instantly, her

going home with Mom! Being with

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

she lifted Joy, teasing her gently. “You’ve cried enough. Let’s clean up and get you ready

“Okay!”

his room, Eric pondered, phone in hand, whether to call Hadley

ring broke the

his tone laced with urgency. “Are you still in Blathe? I need your help with something. Denver’s been in an

and concern washed over Eric.

An accident? Denver?

tightened with worry. “What

was too upset to give me any

replied, his decision

in dire straits required no