Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 464:

“Joy!” The nurse’s voice rang out from across the room, urgent and sharp.

Joy waved enthusiastically. “She’s calling for me. I have to go now! Bye-bye!”

“Goodbye,” Eric said quietly, watching as the little girl rushed off. He hadn’t even finished his thought before she was gone, and he remained crouched, observing the nurse scoop Joy up and hurry away with her.

A shadow unexpectedly fell over his emotions. Was it the thought of this brief encounter ending, knowing she might soon be heading to “a faraway place”?

“Joy!” Hadley’s voice echoed down the hospital corridor, filled with urgency. She spotted the nurse holding Joy in her arms and quickly made her way toward them, concern etched on her face.

“Mommy…”

“Where did you wander off to?” Hadley grabbed Joy and gave her a light pat on the bottom—though for Hadley, it 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!”

as her little face

heart shattered in that moment. It

her

hand, Joy clumsily reached out to touch her mother’s face,

𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅: ⲅ𝗮𝗅𝖓𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀․𝖼𝗈𝗆

don’t cry.

fought to hold herself together. “Why didn’t you stay in your

shook with fear. “Someone said I was going

a beat, her body turning cold

the nurse’s face reflected

seems Joy accidentally overheard a conversation… I’ll find out who was

be scared… Joy won’t leave, won’t go

aback, struggling to understand what Joy was trying

that dying means going to a very faraway place.” Clinging to her mother, 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 from me either, right? I don’t want to go anywhere! I just want to stay with Mommy!

down Joy’s face uncontrollably, tugging at