The call hadn’t ended.

Was Eric waiting for her to say something?

After a moment of hesitation, Hadley slowly lifted the phone to her ear.

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came.

“Hadley.” Eric’s voice came through again, gentle and low.

“Yes,” she responded, the word slipping out before she even thought.

“I’ll come home tonight.”

“Alright.”

Another pause stretched between them.

“I’ll get back to work now. I’ll hang up, okay?”

“Okay.”

Two seconds later, the line went dead.

Hadley slowly lowered the phone. She stared at the dark screen for a moment, her fingers still wrapped around the edges. Then, she let out a sigh, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

At six o’clock, the sky still held a soft glow when Eric returned home.

“Daddy!”

Joy came running the moment she heard him. Eric caught her mid-sprint and lifted her in one swift motion.

“Daddy, I missed you so, so much!” She wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice brimming with warmth and affection.

“Did you?” Eric hugged his daughter tight, then rubbed his stubbled chin against her cheek. “Daddy missed you so, so much too!”

“Hehe!” Joy burst into giggles. “Daddy, that tickles!”

. – more stories here

“Is it?” he teased, pressing his chin against her again. “Then how about this?”

“Stop it! Ha-ha-ha!” Joy wriggled in his arms, laughing uncontrollably. “Daddy, you didn’t shave! That’s so messy! Mommy will be mad if she finds out!”

Their laughter echoed through the room. Father and daughter were wrapped in their own world, completely absorbed in the moment. Just a few steps away, Hadley stood in silence, quietly watching them. It had only been a few days, but seeing Eric again felt surreal.

He looked thinner than before. His hair was unkempt, his bangs falling messily over his forehead. The stubble along his jaw had thickened, giving him a more rugged look.

Even in his worn-out state, his features remained striking. But now, they carried something else too—a shadow of solitude and a weight that only time could leave behind.

Hadley lowered her gaze slightly and offered a faint smile. “Take Joy to wash her hands. Dinner will be ready soon.” Find the newest release on findnovel.net

“Alright.” Eric nodded. “Let’s go.”

As Hadley turned toward the kitchen, Eric carried Joy off to the bathroom.

All through the night, Eric had stayed close by Joy’s side.

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