?Chapter 2769:
“What nonsense is that? This is your home. There’s no ‘shouldn’t have.’ Youe whenever you want.”
“Mm.” Eric’s lips twitched.
“You’re right.”
When he stepped into the living room, Joy came running from inside.
“Daddy!”
She had spotted Eric through the window.
“Hey, sweetheart!” Eric brightened at once, bending down to scoop her up and nt kisses on her soft cheeks.
“Did you have fun today?”
“Lots of fun!”
“That’s great.”
With Joy in his arms, he sat on the carpeted floor, watching her and Locke scatter Lego pieces across the floor.
“Uncle Eric.” Locke greeted him politely.
“Hello, Locke.” Eric nodded. He sat quietly, not interrupting, only handing them pieces now and then. But his thoughts wandered.
Where was Hadley?
“Joy.” Eric lowered himself beside her, sitting cross-legged.
“Where’s Mommy?”
“Mommy’s busy,” Joy answered without looking up.
“With Kira.”
“Okay.” Eric understood.
Since moving in, Hadley had taken over the household from Ernest.
“Then, Joy.” His voice softened further.
???????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????????﹒?????
“Did Mommy go out?”
“Nope.” The little girl shook her head, focused on her blocks.
“Mommy stayed with me all day.”
So, Hadley hadn’t gone to see Ellis.
Eric let out a quiet breath, relief loosening his chest.
Even if they were together, at least today, they hadn’t met.
He knew it for what it was—self-deception.
But what else could he do? For now, he could only dull the ache with smallforts.
By the time Hadley finished her work, the sun had already slipped away.
She rolled down her sleeves and walked over.
“Locke, Joy, go wash your hands. Dinner’s ready.”
“Okay, Aunt Hadley!”
“Okay, Mommy!”
The children stood at once, hand in hand as they went to the bathroom.
“Hadley.” Eric rose too, meeting her eyes with a faint smile.
“Eric.” She wasn’t entirely surprised, though her expression showed a flicker of unease.
“Go wash up too. Dinner’s ready.”
.
.
.