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…”

her little face crumpled in

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

moment, it was

own eyes, Joy noticed

“Mommy!”

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

Joy was wrong.

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

meant.”

I was going to die. I wanted to

a beat, her body

them, the nurse’s face

appears Joy accidentally overheard some conversation… I will find out who was talking.”

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

What?

taken aback, struggling to grasp what Joy was

nice mister just told me that dying means going to a very

her mom, Joy 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

uncontrollably, pulling at

little girl, so innocent yet so aware of her deep bond with her mother!

“Joy!”

You’re not going anywhere. This time, when

“Really?”

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Never Separate

hope as she gazed up at her mother.

“Really, Mommy?”

“Yes, my love.”

her eyes, tenderly wiped away

had initially left Joy in Blathe primarily for her

donor now backing off and the surgery off the table,

“Yay!”

mood transformed instantly,

Mom! Being

mother’s presence was

Joy, teasing her gently. “You’ve cried enough. Let’s clean up and

“Okay!”

Eric pondered, phone in hand, whether to call Hadley or perhaps visit her

phone’s ring broke the silence in

you still in Blathe? I need your help with something. Denver’s

washed over

An accident? Denver?

with worry. “What exactly happened,

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

replied, his decision firm.

in dire straits required no second thoughts.