A Second Chance 147

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Chapter 147

On the third night, after dinner with the suppliers, Josiah stepped out of the banquet hall feeling dizzy. His vision was swimming w and he felt unsteady on his feet.

“Mr. Flynn!” Zach quickly stepped in to assist him. “We can’t delay anymore. There’s no rush, so let’s get to the hospital, okay?”

“Okay” Josiah replied, not arguing. The supplier situation was taken care of, and he felt prepared to face his family.

With Zach’s help, Josiah got into the car, barely holding it together. His head was spinning, and his throat was on fire

—–

Once at the hospital, Zach told him. “Mr. Flynn, just wait here while I get you checked in.”

“No problem. Josiah responded. Fliraty wasn’t like Jelacrity. Seeing a doctor as a foreigner there could be a hassle.

waiting for

Josiah sat in the lobby’s waiting area,

for Zach. Thankfully, he’d always been healthy, so after a few minutes, he started to feel a bit better

To the left of the lobby was a playroom with clear glass walks, allowing him a view inside from his sea

Since it was nighttime, only a few kids were in the playroom. Josah noticed a child sitting alone, with short hair brushing her ears and big eyes that were incredibly cute. His attention was naturally drawn to her.

Unaware she was being watched, Joyce approached the whiteboard, reaching for a marker and about to twist off the cap

“Hey! That’s mine! A blonde, blue–eyed girl sprinted over and snatched it away.

Jayce’s eyes widened as she took a step back. “But I saw it first, she murmured.

“Oh, yeah?” The girl smirked, turning to Joyce. “It’s in my hand now. You want to draw?”

Joyce nodded hopefully. Yeah. Can I have it back!”

“This one?” The girl glanced at two nearby boys, then chucked the marker to them. “Catch it!”

“Got it” they cheered, starting to toss it around.

They laughed as they passed the marker back and forth.

“Don’t drop it!” a boy shouted.

The kids were in a fit of laughter, treating the marker like a toy.

Jayce puffed out her cheeks, her big eyes blinking back tears as she protested, “What you’re doing is wrong.” But the three kids completely ignored

her.

Wow! Kathy, look, she’s crying one kid exclaimed.

“Really‘ Oh my gosh, she actually is, the girl named Kathy replied.

“Girls from another country are

y are just so delicate!” they snickered.

Mocking laughter reached Joyce’s ears in waves.

Joyer, being from Jetacrity, was facing some serious discrimination in Fliraty. As she was all alone without an adult around.

She stood there, her big eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Hey!” Suddenly, the playroom door swing open as someone snapped.

Joyce turned her head and saw a tall, handsome man walk in.

Josiah strode right over to the little boy holding the marker and held out his hand. “Please give it to me,” he said with a slight smile. “Or we can go to the nurse’s station now It’s late, and you’re supposed to be in bed, right?

All the kids, dressed in hospital gowns, got nervous at

yous at the thought of finding ourse

H

The boy hollered. “Catch” as he hurled the marker skyward Josiah plucked it out of the air without breaking a sweat.

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Chapter 147

“Let’s go!” The mo of kids exchanged glances, then bolted for the door.

Josiah faced Joyer, marker in hand.

“Here. Noticing her small stature, he stopped mid–sentence and then crouched down. “Here you go, little one

Joyces eyes fluttered as she accepted the marker. She expressed her gratitude in the language used in Fliraty

But then, string up Josiah, she switched to another language: “Thank you, sir?

Josiah’s brow furrowed in confusion. “You’re not a native here?”

“Mm–hmmm” Joyce nodded. “Tm not from Fraty. I’m from Jeiacrity”

Josiah was surprised. He could tell she wasn’t a local, but he didn’t think she was from his hometown.

The fact that she switched languages upon seeing his appearance showed that she was a clever little girl.

Small world. I’m from Jelarity too.” he said.

“Wow“” Joyce’s eyes lit up. “My mom’s there too. Have you seen her

“Nope.” Josiah chuckled, realizing kids often didn’t make sense. He thought to himself. H

How would I know her mom? I’ve never met her.

For some reason, he felt a weird connection with this little one and wanted to comfort her. He pointed to the marker she was holding. “What were you gonna do with that?

“I wanted to write a note to tell my mom I muss her she said.

“Go ahead then” Josiah said, pointing to the whiteboard.

“Okay.” Joyce clutched the marker and leaned in close to the board, but she just stood there, stuck.

Josiah was confused. “Why aren’t you

aren’t you writing?”

“Sir.” Joyce’s bottom lip trembled, about to cry. “I don’t know how to write yet… Before she could finish, she looked up at him and started to cry

“Hey, hey, hey“Josiah was caught off guard and for a second, he was at a loss. But he quickly scooped up Joyce and started to comfort her. “Don’t cry. Lule one. I’m here for you, okay?”

“Okay,” Joyer sniffled, nodding her head

Josiah took Joyce’s chubby hand, his eyes catching the adorable dimples on her hand. He led her over to the whiteboard and asked, “What do you want to write, kiddo!”

“Mommy. Joyce masses you.” she said softly.

“Alright“Josiah rarefully guided her hand in writing the words.

Before writing her name, he looked down at her

rand asked, “How do you spell Joycer

“Huh?” Joyce blinked, looking puzzled. ‘Te just Joyce.”

Josiah realized his mistake. “Shoot, I shouldn’t have confused a cute like her, he thought to himself, then helped her write the name “Joyce” just

Joyce’s eyes twinkled with excitement as the pointed at the whiteboard, where words they had written together were displayed. “Is this “Mommy?” she asked eagerly