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!”

Joy’s eyes as

the sight of her daughter crying, Hadley’s resolve melted away—her heart shattered in that moment. It was unbearable

Hadley’s own eyes, and Joy noticed her mother’s

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

𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅: ⲅ𝗮𝗅𝖓𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀․𝖼𝗈𝗆

cry. Joy was

as she fought to hold herself together.

fear. “Someone said I was going to

heart skipped a beat, her body

the nurse’s

overheard a conversation…

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

was taken aback, struggling to understand what Joy

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

down Joy’s face uncontrollably, tugging at