?Chapter 1128:


    “Is that you, Eric?” Joy peered through her tears, her eyesrge and shimmering like freshly washed grapes.


    Once she recognized him, she didn’t hesitate, jumping into his arms. “It is you! You’re really here!”


    “Yes, I am!”


    As he held his daughter tightly, Eric’s emotions surged, his eyes dampening with tears he fought to hold back. “Yes, I’m here now.” In his embrace, Joy’s sobs continued, her feelings of neglect pouring out. “Eric, why did you stay away so long?”


    “I’m sorry,” Eric whispered, his voice thick with regret as he felt the weight of her simple question. “That was my mistake.” His absence hadn’t been by choice.


    Eric was concerned that his presence mightplicate things for Hadley. He also feared that visiting too often would make it more difficult to leave them behind when necessary.


    “Time for bed, little one.” Eric gently carried Joy to her room, nting a soft kiss on her forehead. “How about a bedtime story?”


    “Yes, please!”


    With their heads resting side by side, father and daughtery quietly on the bed. Joy’s eyes grew heavy as the story carried her toward sleep. Eric shut the book and gave her a soft, reassuring pat.


    “Eric…” she murmured, half-asleep. “Is Mommying home tomorrow?”


    Eric’s heart tightened at her question. Softly, he assured her, “Yes, she’ll be here tomorrow. Now sleep, sweetheart.”


    “Okay.”


    With that, Joy let sleep take her. Eric rose quietly, shutting her door with care.


    Outside, Melba was waiting.


    “Mr. Flynn.”


    He nodded toward Joy’s room. “Please keep looking after her as you do. Call me if you need anything.”


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    “Understood.” Melba’s expression was somber. “Mr. Flynn, will everything be okay with Hadley?”


    “Definitely.” Eric’s response was swift and confident. “I’m leaving now but I’ll return tomorrow.”


    “Take care, Mr. Flynn.”


    As he stepped out of the building, his phone rang. It was Cristian.


    “What’s the update?”


    “It’s a bitplicated.”


    Hadley sat in a hard stic chair at the police station, her eyes bloodshot, muttering like a child lost in a nightmare. “I swear I didn’t push her. I didn’t even touch her. I don’t know how she fell…”


    “Hadley,” Brady said, nodding repeatedly. “I know. I believe you didn’t.”


    Denver added quickly, “We all believe you.”


    She slowly lifted her head, her gaze dull and distant. “Believe me?” she echoed. “Why would you believe me?”


    “Hadley…”


    “Hadley!”


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