?Chapter 2789:


    Hadley stepped inside with warmth in her tone.


    “Good morning, Joy!”


    “Good morning, Mommy!”


    Although a spoon rested in Joy’s hand, Eric was the one sitting across from her, gently feeding her mouthfuls.


    A faint crease formed on Hadley’s forehead.


    “You’re indulging her again.”


    Eric let out a lightugh.


    “It’s alright. Joy’s still a baby. Anyway, she can manage on her own—it’s just that I like feeding her myself.”


    “Yes, yes!” Joy’s wide eyes sparkled.


    “Mommy, don’t be upset!”


    Laughter slipped from Hadley.


    “I’m not upset. Just enjoy your food and let Daddy take care of you.”


    After all, dealing with this father-and-daughter duo was beyond her control.


    “Okay!” Joy opened her mouth eagerly.


    “More, Daddy, more!”


    “That’s my sweet girl.” Eric’s eyes softened, brimming with affection as he looked at his daughter.


    From the side, Hadley observed quietly, noticing how different his presence feltpared to the day before.


    “Why are you staring?” Eric tilted his head, curious.


    “Do I have something on my face?”


    Hadley quickly shook it off.


    “You should sit down and eat something too,” he added.


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    “Alright then.”


    Turning her gaze aside, Hadley focused on her food in silence.


    What struck her was how different Eric appeared today—soposed, almost as if he had alreadye to terms with her and Ellis.


    The speed of that change unsettled her; it hade far quicker than she ever imagined.


    Perhaps that was for the better?


    Still, a heavy tightness pressed against her chest, swelling in relentless waves.


    Quiet breaths were all Hadley could manage, unsure if time would soften the weight, or if the strain would slowly wear her down instead.


    Only two weeks remained before Joy’s first day of school, and everyone in the Flynn family treated it as their most pressing concern.


    Unlike most children, Joy’s circumstances set her apart. Illness had shadowed her since she was little, leaving her either by her mother’s side or confined to hospital rooms.


    Moments with other children were nearly nonexistent in her life. Once she stepped into school, she would see for the first time that countless kids shared the same world with her.


    Would that realization frighten her? Might she feel overwhelmed? Could she learn to adapt?


    Even with Eric arranging counseling sessions beforehand and asking Locke to watch over her once sses began, the worried father still spent his days and nights restless with concern. Such worry would probably follow him through every stage of his daughter’s life.


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