?Chapter 3002:


    That night, Eric and Hadley began their trip back to Srixby, the glow of the city lights fading behind them.


    Even before they arrived, word of Eric’s proposal had already swept through Flynn Mansion, carried by eager tongues and delighted hearts.


    By the next evening, the couple finally returned home. With Hadley’s hand in his, Eric led her through the grand entrance of the mansion.


    “Daddy! Mommy!” The excited cry echoed from the living room, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.


    Momentster, Joy came bounding into view, her face lit up with delight.


    “Joy!”


    Eric crouched down, opening one arm wide to wee his daughter as she threw herself into his embrace.


    He pressed a kiss to her soft cheek and asked gently, “Daddy and Mommy were gone for a bit. Did you behave while we were away?”


    “I did!” Joy said proudly, her little voice ringing with confidence. “Great-grandma told me Daddy went to ask Mommy to marry him! That means I get to stay with both of you every single day! And then you’ll have another baby! I’ll be the best big sister ever!”


    Her innocent deration made everyone around herugh.


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    “What a sweet little girl you are.”


    As Eric listened to her, a quiet thought crossed his mind. If Hadley ever wanted another child, he secretly wished for a boy. It wasn’t because he favored boys. The Flynn family had never believed in such things—N had made sure of that.


    The truth was simpler. Joy was irreceable. She carried something in her spirit that no one else could, and Eric’s love for her was something he couldn’t imagine sharing in the same way.


    If another daughter came along, he feared that unique tenderness might somehow lose its singr ce in his heart.


    “You’re home.” N appeared in her wheelchair, gliding forward with Locke quietly trailing beside her.


    “Uncle Eric. Aunt Hadley,” Locke said politely, though his eyes flicked toward Joy with a hint of longing.


    Watching her surrounded by both her parents brought back memories—he once had a mother and a little sister, too.


    Without a word, N reached out and rested a hand on his head, her touch gentle but firm.


    Turning toward the couple, N spoke with a calm smile. “You both should go get some rest. Once Ernest returns, we’ll all sit down and have dinner together.”


    “Alright.”


    When evening came, Ernest instructed the servants to bring out a fine bottle of wine.


    After the cork popped, he poured a ss for Hadley and lifted his own. “Hadley, congrattions. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”


    “Thank you, Ernest.” Holding the ss carefully in both hands, Hadley met his gaze with genuine warmth.


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