?Chapter 2777:


    He squeezed toothpaste onto her toothbrush and passed it to her.


    “Alright, teeth time!”


    He didn’t release it immediately, patiently guiding her movements.


    “Up and down first… now scrub the backs… and give that tongue a tickle…”


    Beside them, Hadley observed quietly before whispering, “You’re amazing with her. So gentle and patient.” He truly appeared to be a wonderful father.


    “She makes it easy,” Eric chuckled.


    “This is what being a dad means, right?”


    After a moment, he continued, “I never had parents who really cared. So I swore to myself… if I ever became a father, I’d give my children everything I never had.”


    His throat worked visibly. Suddenly—


    “Hadley…” he whispered.


    Hadley’s heart jumped, sensing what was approaching.


    “I should go see if breakfast’s ready! Take your time up here!” She spun around and rushed out before he could continue.


    “Hah.” Eric’s lips twisted into a self-mocking smile. She wouldn’t even hear him out anymore.


    When everything was prepared, Eric scooped Joy into his arms and carried her downstairs to the dining room.


    He settled beside his daughter, his attention divided between watching Joy eat and stealing nces at Hadley across the table.


    His fingers worked methodically at peeling a hard-boiled egg as he spoke.


    “What has you up so early today? Couldn’t manage more sleep?”


    “I have work this morning.”


    “Oh, I see.”


    After finishing with the shell, he separated the egg—popping the golden yolk into his mouth and gently cing the white portion on Hadley’s te.


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    “Is one enough? Would you like another?”


    “Okay.” Hadley nodded her agreement.


    He peeled a second egg, once again iming the yolk for himself while offering her the pristine white.


    The routine feltpletely natural—neither of them questioned this quiet ritual they had developed.


    While Hadley continued eating, her phone vibrated against the table with an iing message. She lifted the device to read the notification.


    The moment she ced it back down, Eric fixed his gaze on her with ufortable intensity before the name tumbled from his lips.


    “Ellis?”


    Hadley’s eyes widened in surprise, her head beginning an instinctive shake of denial.


    “Are you two… doing well together?” he asked again.


    Following a moment of tense silence, Hadley offered a reluctant nod.


    “Okay.” Eric manufactured a brittle smile that never reached his eyes.


    “That’s wonderful.”


    The air between them transformed in an instant, growing thick with unspoken tension.


    Hadley dabbed at her lips with her napkin before turning her attention to their daughter.


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