?Chapter 678:


    “Oh, by the way, your watch has been found.”


    Surprise widened Hadley’s eyes.


    “My watch? They actually found it?”


    “Is that strange?” Eric pinched her nose yfully.


    “Of course. I told you there’s a serial number for tracking. No one could sell it off unnoticed.”


    Apparently, the thief had triggered an immediate alert when attempting to pawn it.


    “But there’s some damage, so it needs to go back for repairs,” he said gently, pressing a kiss to her forehead.


    “It might take a bit before it’s ready again.”


    “Okay.” Hadley sighed lightly, nodding. Luxury items, she thought, were always causing some kind of hassle.


    That night passed peacefully and quietly.


    The next morning, Hadley followed the same routine.


    Joy’s treatments began soon after her arrival at the hospital, quickly bringing renewed pain and difort.


    “Mommy.” Clinging weakly to Hadley’s shoulder, Joy’s eyes filled with sadness.


    “I miss Daddy so much. It hurts. Can Daddye and hold Joy?”


    Hearing those innocent, longing words broke Hadley’s heart all at once.


    “Mommy.”


    Joy’s voice was raspy,ced with a sense of loss.


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    Through her tears, she recalled her mother’s earlier words.


    “Daddy loves his job more than me, doesn’t he? Boo hoo…”


    “That’s not true,” Hadley responded, her own voice thick with emotion, feeling a weight on her chest that made it difficult to breathe.


    “Daddy loves Joy very much…”


    “Why doesn’t he visit me then?”


    Tears welled up in Joy’srge eyes. Sensing her mother’s struggle, she nestled closer within her embrace, her sobs growing louder.


    “Daddy’s mean! I don’t like Daddy anymore!”


    “Joy.”


    Hadley paused as she wrestled with her thoughts.


    A part of her wanted to blurt out that her father did care, that he had even been here to see her!


    Yet, she hesitated, fearing the implications of revealing too much.


    She knew there was a special bond between Eric and Joy, and that he treated her well.


    Yet, how could they be certain that Eric’s feelings wouldn’t shift if he discovered Joy was his daughter?


    It was just like pets being adored by many, yet only a select fewmit to them for life.


    “Melba.” Joy raised her head, tears in her eyes, and addressed Melba.


    “Could you please call that nice uncle?”


    “Well…” Melba paused, uncertain, her gaze shifting toward Hadley for guidance.


    “We ran into that gentleman I told you about after you left yesterday,” she exined.


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