?Chapter 596:


    “Joy, look—I brought this for you.”


    In his tiny palm sat a bright, unfamiliar candy, wrapped in shiny paper she had never seen before.


    “Does it taste good?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.


    “It’s the best candy ever.”


    The boy nodded earnestly and peeled off the wrapper like a little gentleman. “Joy, open your mouth…”


    Joy parted her lips trustingly, letting him drop the candy onto her tongue.


    “What do you think?”


    “It’s delicious!” Joy smiled, her eyes curving. “It’s sweet and sour, really tasty. It’s my first time having this candy.”


    “You really liked it?”


    Excited, the little boy bounced enthusiastically. “I’ll bring even more tomorrow. My dad bought tons from his trip, so I can share two—wait, five—with you…”


    He started counting clumsily on his fingers, eager but unsure.


    However, Joy tilted her head thoughtfully, confused by one of the words he’d used. “What’s that word you said… ‘dad’? What’s a dad?”


    Puzzled himself, the boy stared back nkly. “Well, my dad is just my dad.”


    Seeing Joy still puzzled, he exined earnestly, “You know how you have a mom, right? A dad is the other person you have at home.”


    Suddenly, the boy’s mother called him.


    Hearing the familiar voice, the little boy nced upward eagerly. “Mommy!”


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    Excitedly, he turned back to Joy, waving energetically. “My mommy’s calling me—I gotta go now! But I’lle back tomorrow and bring more candy for you. Bye-bye, Joy!”


    He dashed away, leaving Joy standing behind, still caught up in her confusion.


    “Joy.”


    Crouching quietly beside the small girl was Eric, who had reversed his car after spotting her from the street.


    “Hey, kiddo.” He offered her a warm, friendly grin. “Do you still remember who I am?”


    “Yes.” Joy tilted her head slightly, nodding slowly. “I do remember. You’re the man who writes notes to Mommy with me and buys me strawberry milk. Hello.”


    “You’ve got a sharp memory.”


    Reaching out gently, he lightly tousled the child’s soft hair.


    Today, Joy had on an adorable hat with fluffy bear ears that framed her small face perfectly.


    Yet something about her seemed off. The usual sparkle in her eyes was missing, reced by a serious frown.


    “Something troubling you, Joy?”


    Children weren’t his area of expertise, but Joy was different—she had earned his patience somehow.


    “Is there something making you sad?”


    “I’m not sad.”


    Her small face was thoughtful as she carefully asked, “Does every child get to have a mom and… a dad?”


    Eric paused, momentarily lost for words at her unexpected question.


    He finally nodded slowly. “Usually, yes.”


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