?Chapter 2699:


    It became clear to her—Megan wasn’t like Linda.


    This woman truly cared about Eric.


    “Alright,” said Hadley with a firm nod.


    “I’ll let you know.”


    “Thank you!” Megan’s reddened eyes filled as she bobbed her head again and again.


    A thin smile crossed her lips.


    “I’ll leave now. I’ll wait for your news… he has to be alright!”


    “Yes.”


    For once, they shared the same hope.


    By the time the clock neared five, Brady showed up.


    Ears sharp, Joy caught the sound of footsteps and bolted toward the door.


    “It’s Uncle Brady!”


    “Careful!” said Hadley with a smile as she followed after her daughter.


    “Joy!” Brady entered quickly, bending to lift his niece into his arms.


    “Let me hold you right. Have you missed me?”


    “Yes!” Joy clung tight to him.


    “Uncle Brady, the kite’s ready! Can we go fly itter?”


    “Of course!” Brady grinned as he carried Joy further inside the house.


    “Hadley.”


    “You came.”


    Their eyes lingered on each other in silence. With Joy nearby, they spoke only through nces, letting unspoken words pass between them.


    Hadley had already told Brady about Eric’s disappearance.


    It was she who had asked him toe.


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    Work had kept Brady tied up, and since his breakup with Colleen, his spirit hadn’t truly healed.


    Hadley simply couldn’t manage this on her own.


    Joy’s constant questions about her father weighed heavily on her, so she turned to the one person the child loved next to Eric—her Uncle Brady.


    She hoped hispany would ease Joy’s longing for her dad.


    “Go on, kid. Show me the kite.” Brady set Joy down gently.


    “Fetch it, and I’ll take you out to fly it.”


    “Okay!” Joy dashed away, eager to find the kite.


    Atst, Hadley and Brady had a chance to speak alone.


    “Hadley.” Brady’s smile faded, and he said quietly, “I don’t know what really happened, but I believe Eric will pull through.”


    “Yes.” Hadley managed only a nod. At that moment, she didn’t dare let her mind wander toward the worst oue.


    With a steadying breath, she brushed back her hair.


    “Take Joy to fly the kiteter. I’ll go ahead to the main house and keep Npany—we’ll be eating there tonight.”


    “Understood.”


    “Uncle Brady!” Joy came bounding back, waving the kite above her head.


    “Come on!”


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