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!”
Tears poured from Joy’s eyes as her little face crumpled in distress.
At the sight of her daughter crying, Hadley’s resolve melted away—her heart shattered in that moment. It was unbearable to see her like this.
Tears mirrored in Hadley’s own eyes, and Joy noticed her mother’s distress, causing her to sob even harder. “Mommy!”
With a trembling hand, Joy clumsily reached out to touch her mother’s face, trying to wipe away her tears.
“Mommy, don’t cry. Joy was wrong.”
“Explain to me…” Hadley’s voice trembled as she fought to hold herself together. “Why didn’t you stay in your bed?”
“Because…” Joy’s voice shook with fear. “Someone said I was going to die. I wanted to understand what that meant.”
Hadley’s heart skipped a beat, her body turning cold as ice.
Beside them, the nurse’s face reflected discomfort.
“It seems Joy accidentally overheard a conversation… I’ll find out who was speaking.”
“Mommy…” Through her tears, Joy pleaded, “Don’t cry, don’t be scared… Joy won’t leave, won’t go to a faraway place and leave you alone.”
Hadley was taken aback, struggling to understand what Joy was trying to express.
“A nice mister just told me 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! Waaah…”
Tears streamed down Joy’s face uncontrollably, tugging at Hadley’s heartstrings.
Her little girl, so innocent, yet so aware of the deep bond between them!
“Joy!”
Hadley wrapped her arms around Joy, holding her close. “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 now on.”
“Really?”
Joy’s tears stopped immediately, and her eyes sparkled with hope as she looked up at her mother.