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…”

Joy as her little face crumpled in

the sight of her daughter in tears, Hadley’s

a moment, it was unbearable.

eyes, Joy noticed her mother’s distress and sobbed

“Mommy!”

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

don’t cry. Joy was wrong.

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

meant.”

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

a beat, her body turning ice

the nurse’s face

conversation… I

don’t be scared… Joy won’t leave, won’t go to a

What?

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

me that dying means going

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 want to go anywhere! I

face uncontrollably, pulling at Hadley’s heartstrings.

so innocent yet so aware of her deep bond with her

“Joy!”

not 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

her eyes shining with hope as

“Really, Mommy?”

“Yes, my love.”

her eyes, tenderly wiped away

initially left Joy in Blathe primarily for her

off the table, staying apart no

“Yay!”

instantly,

with Mom! Being with Mom is

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

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

“Okay!”

phone in hand, whether to call Hadley

broke the silence

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

and concern washed

An accident? Denver?

tightened with worry. “What exactly happened,

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

replied, his decision firm.

dire straits