?Chapter 2752:


    “Of course…”


    Before Hadley could move, Eric stood up.


    “I’ll grab it.”


    Hadley shook her head, smiling gently.


    “You wouldn’t know which one she’s in the middle of, or which one she’s already read.”


    “True.” Eric gave a small nod, conceding that she was right.


    Without another word, Hadley walked over to the study and picked up the storybook left halfway through.


    “Thanks, Mommy!” Joy reached eagerly.


    “Give it to me!”


    “Here you are.”


    After Joy took the book, she passed it to Eric.


    “Daddy, read…”


    “Of course.” Eric epted it as Joy snuggled into the nkets, patting the empty spot beside her.


    “Mommy, lie here too. Both of you!”


    For a second, Hadley faltered, her eyes flicking toward Eric, but then she gave in and settled at her daughter’s side.


    “Alright.”


    With Hadley on one side and Eric on the other, Joy let out a happy sigh.


    “Daddy, start reading!”


    “Okay.” Eric’s gaze softened, affection brimming as he spoke.


    He turned to the marked page, and then lifted his eyes toward Hadley.


    “Do you remember where we stopped?”


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    “The left one’s already done, so start on the right page.”


    Eric continued reading from where they had paused. His voice was rich and gentle, wrapping around them like a warm embrace.


    On the bed, both slowly eased intofort. Joy’s eyelids grew heavy until they closed entirely, her tiny arms stretching above her head.


    Hadley had only nned to stay until Joy drifted off, yet fatigue clung to her more heavily than she expected. Sleepless nights spent worrying about Eric had taken their toll, and too often she’d relied on medicine just to close her eyes.


    With everything finally settled, her body surrendered to rest. Carried along by the rhythm of his voice, she slipped quietly into slumber.


    Stillness settled into the room.


    Eric kept his voice low, reading on until the gentle rhythm of two steady breaths told him they were both fast asleep.


    When he nced down at them, a smile slowly spread, warm and unrestrained, straight from the depths of his chest.


    Sure enough, both of them had drifted off.


    His eyes lingered first on Joy, and then moved to Hadley, and a flicker of concern appeared.


    What should he do now?


    The conversation they’d left hanging earlier pressed on his mind. But with Hadley resting so soundly, waking her wasn’t an option.


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