?Chapter 2901:


    Eric had caught enough of her words to hear her concern for Ellis.


    “Mr. Scott, I’ll take my leave,” Ellis said politely.


    “Take care,” Eric replied with a nod, though his chest felt inexplicably heavy.


    Strange… He had thought he’d already let go of the past. Yet seeing Hadley show concern for Ellis still left a dull ache in his chest.


    “Mommy!” Joy squealed, reaching out her plump little arms.


    “Hold me!”


    “Of course, sweetheart.” Hadley smiled, gathering her daughter close.


    “Did you just wake up? Did you rest well?”


    “I slept so well,” Joy nodded, nestling her head against her mother’s shoulder. In her soft, syrupy voice, she added, “Mommy, I’m hungry.”


    “I know.” Hadley chuckled, lowering her nose until it brushed her daughter’s.


    “Let’s go eat, and then we’ll head home.”


    “Okay! Where’s Locke?” Joy asked curiously.


    Hadley pointed ahead.


    “Over there…”


    “Joy!”


    Not far away, Ernest was carrying Locke out of the car. The boy wriggled in his father’s arms the moment he saw Joy.


    “Daddy, put me down!”


    Ernest obliged, setting him on the ground.


    “Joy!” Locke called, stretching his small hand toward her.


    “Locke!” Joy answered with equal excitement.


    Hadleyughed softly and set her daughter down.


    “Go on, then. Run to him.”


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    Eric watched quietly, his brows furrowed.


    “Joy seems to depend on Locke more now.”


    “Yes, she does,” Hadley agreed, her tone calm. She didn’t find it surprising.


    “It’s normal. The two of them went through a rough time together. Besides, Locke protected Joy—he’s her little hero now.”


    “Is that… a good thing?” Eric’s voice tightened with unease.


    Hadley arched a brow, her eyes twinkling with amusement.


    “What’s the matter? They’re just kids. Don’t make it sound like a crisis.”


    After a pause, she added with quiet conviction, “Even if they were grown, and Locke was still willing to risk everything for Joy… what would there be to fear in that?”


    Eric fell silent, unable to refute her logic.


    “Stop overthinking.” Hadley shook her head, still smiling.


    She knew fathers often couldn’t bear the thought of giving up their daughters to another man—but Joy was still so very young, and Eric’s worry simply seemed unnecessary.


    “For now, they’re just two cousins who adore each other,” she added.


    Children always had endless reserves of energy. After a good nap and a hearty meal, Locke and Joy were wide awake again once they boarded the ne.


    Despite Hadley’s coaxing, neither wanted to sleep.


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