Chapter 210


    Chapter 210


    Like a chain shackled to Joy’s ankle, no matter how far she ventured or how high she climbed, the end


    of the year always dragged her back to where she started, to face the


    music.


    It felt like an inescapable curse to Joy, circling back over and over again.


    Leanne never asked her, and she never shared.


    But in that moment, Joy saw the light.


    “I’ve made up my mind, I’m noting back next year!” she dered. “Wait for me, I’lle back to


    you tomorrow!”


    After hanging up, Leanne pocketed her phone and walked over to Jeremy Turner.


    Having a friend show up with a birthday cake in the middle of the night, especially on Christmas Eve,


    was no small gesture. It weighed on Leanne.


    “Really, you didn’t have toe, especially not at this time. You should be partying with. your family.”


    “I’ll only stay a bit, no worries. My mom heard you were on shift alone today and wanted to bring you


    some chicken pot pie. Selina couldn’t believe you had avish Christmas Eve dinner until she saw the


    photos.


    Selina wanted toe too, but her house is full of kids tonight, all clinging to her, so couldn’t make it.


    She bought you the cake, and I brought the gift for her.”


    Jeremy had a way of speaking that eased her concerns.


    Leanne led him into the office, where Jeremy brought out the cake and lit the candles.


    As he flicked the lighter, a hint of hesitation crossed his face.


    Eager to move past this part, Leanne was about to close her eyes and make a wish when Jeremy, with


    a fist to his nose, cleared his throat and began to sing in a stiff tone, “Happy birthday to you! Wave


    goodbye to all the troubles, say hello to all the joys…”


    Leanne couldn’t help but burst intoughter.


    Herughter made it impossible for Jeremy to continue, embarrassment tinting his checks.


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    “Sorry, I’m not much of a singer. Was it that bad?”


    Leanne, stillughing, shook her head. “Not at all.”


    It was just that his usual derneanor shing with the cheerful tune made for aically dissonant


    scene.


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    Chapter 210


    “Selina taught me, said it’s the go-to birthday song these days.”


    Though Jeremy felt awkward, the sight of her bright smile made him linger on her


    expression.


    As Leanne noticed his gaze, her smile gradually faded.


    Suddenly, amotion outside broke the silence, with people rushing through the hallway.


    Leanne, driven by her doctor’s instincts, hurried out to see what was happening.


    Patients were pouring out of their rooms, some heading for the elevators, others crowding at the


    windows.


    As nurses tried in vain to manage the crowd, Leanne asked, “What’s going on?”


    “I’m not sure, someone mentioned there’s a show across the river, and they want to see.”


    One nurse yelled at a patient wrapped in bandages from eye surgery, being helped by a rtive, “Bed


    18! You can’t even see things, why join the crowd?”


    The patients gathered at therge windows, and Leanne walked over, reminding everyone, “Take a


    look but be safe, no pushing.”


    An eager elderly patient from bed 5 pulled her over, “Dr. Castillo, you’ve got to see this, the view’s


    fantastic!”


    Leanne found herself dragged to a spot with a clear view of the Stonebridge Financi District, across the


    river from the hospital.


    From this vantage point, the towering office buildings were aze with blue andser lights.


    purp


    Just then, the grand clock atop the Richardson Group building began to chime, its majestic sound


    carrying across the water with stunning rity.


    As the clock struck, numbers formed from stars appeared in the deep blue night sky: 10, 9,8,7


    The patients, caught up in the excitement, joined in the countdown, their voices mingling with the


    chimes.


    As they reached 3, 2, 1- The final chime was followed by a sky filled with fireworks, lighting up the night


    in a spectacr disy.


    The patients cheered in awe, capturing the moment on their phones.


    A Christmas Eve show?


    Leanne didn’t work thest few Christmases, so she had no idea there were ns for festive events


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    Chapter 210


    Just as she was about to let a little girl behind her take her spot, the sky, now a canvas of sparkling


    fireworks, revealed a message: Happy Birthday!


    It was not a Christmas’ greeting, but a birthday wish just for her.


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