?Chapter 1358:


    “Joy,” he began softly, “you and your mother will being to stay at my home for a while. How would you feel about that?”


    “Your house?” The concept seemed to intrigue her, her small brow furrowing thoughtfully.


    Joy’s expansive eyes blinked slowly, her cherubic features contemtive. She sought confirmation from her mother with a quick nce, and upon receiving Hadley’s subtle nod of reassurance, her own smile blossomed in response.


    “Okay!” she agreed brightly. “But where exactly is your house?”


    “Well, my ce is somewhat distant,” Eric exined, his tone automatically gentling when addressing Joy. “However, vehicles are always avable to transport you to any destination. It’ll be very convenient.”


    “Additionally,” he continued, a note of pride entering his voice, “the property features an expansive garden and sprawlingwn. You’ll have endless space for y without ever needing to venture beyond our boundaries.”


    “Wow!” Pure wonderment transformed Joy’s expression, her eyes widening with excitement. “Are there slides there? And swings, too?”


    The innocent inquiry gave Eric pause. He faltered momentarily, realizing his cecked such standard yground equipment for kids.


    Unwilling to dampen Joy’s enthusiasm, he gave a slight shake of his head and quickly offered, “Not currently, but I can arrange for their immediate instation. Would that please you?”


    “Joy…” Hadley’s brow creased with concern, preparing to temper expectations.


    “Perfect!” Joy eximed before Hadley could interject.


    With surprising agility, Joy squirmed free from her mother’s hold andunched herself into Eric’s waiting embrace. “Slides and swings are my absolute favorite!”


    Eric arched a single eyebrow, adopting an exaggerated expression of wounded pride. “Is your affection reserved exclusively for yground equipment?”<fnb26d> Follow current nov?ls on </fnb26d>


    “I love you too, of course!” she amended hastily, recognizing his yful challenge.


    Without hesitation, the perceptive Joy flung her arms around Eric’s neck and bestowed an enthusiastic kiss upon his cheek.


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    Then, with conspiratorial intimacy, she brought her lips close to Eric’s ear and whispered, her warm breath tickling his skin. “You’ll protect us from all the bad people and look after Mommy and me. You’re the absolute best! Thank you! I love you more than anyone!”


    Her innocent deration struck Eric with the force of a physical blow, his heart convulsing painfully as unexpected moisture gathered at the corners of his eyes—a potent mixture of profound emotion and crushing self-reproach.


    Shame coursed through him like poison. The safeguarding of Hadley and Joy represented his most fundamental obligation. Every syble of gratitude from Joy’s lips only intensified the acrid taste of his perceived failure.


    Gazing down at Joy cradled against his chest, he managed a smile that couldn’t quite disguise its underlying mncholy. “I love you the most, too,” he murmured, his voice slightly roughened.


    How desperately he yearned to provide his daughter with an intact family structure—to ce at her feet all the wonders and treasures this world could possibly offer.


    Relocating to Olisvale Bay sounded simple in theory, but in reality, it was a tangled web of details.


    The southern wing stood ready to wee its new residents at any moment, yet it begged for a touch of care to truly feel like home.


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