“Joy,” he began softly, “you and your mother will be coming to stay at my home for a while. How would you feel about that?”

“Your house?” The concept seemed to intrigue her, her small brow furrowing thoughtfully.

Joy’s expansive eyes blinked slowly, her cherubic features contemplative. She sought confirmation from her mother with a quick glance, and upon receiving Hadley’s subtle nod of reassurance, her own smile blossomed in response.

“Okay!” she agreed brightly. “But where exactly is your house?”

“Well, my place is somewhat distant,” Eric explained, his tone automatically gentling when addressing Joy. “However, vehicles are always available to transport you to any destination. It’ll be very convenient.”

“Additionally,” he continued, a note of pride entering his voice, “the property features an expansive garden and sprawling lawn. You’ll have endless space for play without ever needing to venture beyond our boundaries.”

“Wow!” Pure wonderment transformed Joy’s expression, her eyes widening with excitement. “Are there slides there? And swings, too?”

The innocent inquiry gave Eric pause. He faltered momentarily, realizing his place lacked such standard playground equipment for kids.

Unwilling to dampen Joy’s enthusiasm, he gave a slight shake of his head and quickly offered, “Not currently, but I can arrange for their immediate installation. Would that please you?”

“Joy…” Hadley’s brow creased with concern, preparing to temper expectations.

“Perfect!” Joy exclaimed before Hadley could interject.

With surprising agility, Joy squirmed free from her mother’s hold and launched herself into Eric’s waiting embrace. “Slides and swings are my absolute favorite!”

Eric arched a single eyebrow, adopting an exaggerated expression of wounded pride. “Is your affection reserved exclusively for playground equipment?” Follow current nov?ls on

“I love you too, of course!” she amended hastily, recognizing his playful challenge.

Without hesitation, the perceptive Joy flung her arms around Eric’s neck and bestowed an enthusiastic kiss upon his cheek.

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Then, with conspiratorial intimacy, she brought her lips close to Eric’s ear and whispered, her warm breath tickling his skin. “You’ll protect us from all the bad people and look after Mommy and me. You’re the absolute best! Thank you! I love you more than anyone!”

Her innocent declaration struck Eric with the force of a physical blow, his heart convulsing painfully as unexpected moisture gathered at the corners of his eyes—a potent mixture of profound emotion and crushing self-reproach.

Shame coursed through him like poison. The safeguarding of Hadley and Joy represented his most fundamental obligation. Every syllable of gratitude from Joy’s lips only intensified the acrid taste of his perceived failure.

Gazing down at Joy cradled against his chest, he managed a smile that couldn’t quite disguise its underlying melancholy. “I love you the most, too,” he murmured, his voice slightly roughened.

How desperately he yearned to provide his daughter with an intact family structure—to place at her feet all the wonders and treasures this world could possibly offer.

Relocating to Olisvale Bay sounded simple in theory, but in reality, it was a tangled web of details.

The southern wing stood ready to welcome its new residents at any moment, yet it begged for a touch of care to truly feel like home.

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