?Chapter 2776:


    Nestled in Eric’s arms, she buried her face against his shoulder, refusing to open her eyes as pitiful cries escaped her.


    With gentle motions, Eric swayed her back and forth.


    “It’s okay, sweetheart. Don’t cry.”


    The door creaked open, and Hadley stepped inside, watching silently.


    “Still struggling?”


    Several days had already passed like this.


    “Mommy!” At the sound of Hadley’s voice, Joy’s sobs grew louder.


    “My eyes hurt, Daddy! Mommy, my eyes hurt!”


    A quiet nce passed between Eric and Hadley, both of them realizing this was no ordinary tantrum about waking up early.


    “Let Daddy take a look.” Unable to ignore his daughter’s distress, Eric cradled Joy’s small face and gently examined her eyes. Her long, denseshes glistened with tears, clinging together in damp clusters.


    Eric’s brow creased.


    “Maybe an eysh slipped under her eyelid.”


    Lifting Joy, he strode to the bathroom, with Hadley trailing close behind.


    Inside, Eric kept Joy secure in his arms while Hadley squeezed out a towel to dab away her tears.


    “Let Daddy see…” With one hand steadying Joy, Eric carefully lifted her eyelid.


    “Don’t be afraid, baby. Daddy’s right here.”


    He looked at Hadley.


    “Do we have cotton swabs and saline solution?”


    “Yes.” Hadley nodded—these were always within reach. She swiftly opened the cab, grabbed them, and dampened a cotton swab with the saline solution.


    Eric ced Joy on the counter and extended his hand.


    “Give it to me.”


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    Taking the cotton swab from Hadley, he soothed Joy, “Sweetheart, there’s something in your eye. Daddy’s going to remove it now, so stay very still, okay?”


    “Mm!” Joy nodded dutifully, squeezing her tiny fists and remaining perfectly motionless.


    Eric delicately lifted her eyelid and used the moist cotton swab to gently extract the wayward eysh.


    “Now blink your eyes. Does it still hurt?”


    “Okay.” Joy carefully opened her left eye, and then her right, blinking several times before erupting into a smile.


    “All gone! It feels good now!”


    Eric released a relieved breath, exchanging a tender smile with Hadley.


    “Mommy’s here too!” After several days of only having her dad around, Joy felt especially delighted to see her mom today.


    “That’s right, baby.” Hadley smiled, caressing Joy’s cheek.


    “Mommy’s staying for breakfast this morning.”


    “Yay!” Joy squealed, waving her tiny arms.


    “Come on, Daddy! Let’s go, let’s go!”


    “Whatever you say, princess.” Eric lowered Joy onto her small stepping stool.


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