“Is that Mommy? Uncle Brady brought Mommy home!”

Joy was already wide awake, gripping her favorite water cup tightly as she bounded toward them with quick, breathless steps filled with pure excitement. The previous evening, Brady had promised Joy that Hadley would return today and that he would venture to the airport to retrieve her first thing in the morning.

When she reached the entryway and caught sight of Hadley standing there, Joy practically launched herself into the air with unbridled joy.

“Mommy!”

“Joy!” Hadley crouched down gracefully and extended her arms wide to gather her precious daughter into a loving embrace.

Every trace of weariness from her lengthy journey dissolved completely the instant she laid eyes on her beloved little girl.

“I’ve missed you more than words can express, my precious sweetheart.”

“Joy missed Mommy too!” Joy wound her small arms around Hadley’s neck and pressed a big, enthusiastic kiss against her cheek.

Hadley erupted into warm laughter, her eyes sparkling and crinkling at the corners with pure maternal delight.

“Mommy…” Joy peered curiously behind her mother, her large, innocent eyes blinking with hopeful expectation. “Where’s Daddy? Didn’t Daddy come home with you?”

Hadley’s expression wavered momentarily at the mention of Eric, a shadow of pain crossing her features. She spoke gently to her daughter, choosing her words carefully.

“Daddy’s been busy with important work. Can you be my good girl and come home with Mommy first?”

Joy’s lower lip jutted out in a disappointed pout, her small face crumpling slightly, but she nodded with the obedience of a well-loved child and nestled her head against Hadley’s shoulder, clinging to her tightly.

“Mommy, let’s go home then.”

€?? ￠?αt?εяs 1n ga?n?νεl?.

“Alright, let’s go.” Hadley pressed a tender kiss to Joy’s forehead, her heart simultaneously aching with sorrow and overflowing with maternal tenderness.

Would the delicate father-daughter bond between Eric and Joy develop in the uncertain days ahead?

Upstairs, Melba and the housekeeper had completed their packing duties and descended to join them. Brady then drove the entire group to their destination on Jewel Avenue.

“Hadley, I need to head out now,” Brady announced, still needing to return to his workplace obligations. “If you need anything at all, just call me without hesitation. I’ll bring Colleen over another day for a proper meal!”

“Absolutely, take care of yourself. Drive safely on your way back.”

“Will do.”

After waving goodbye to her brother, Hadley returned inside to tackle some quick tidying before dedicating the entire remainder of the day to precious time with Joy.

By evening, after settling Joy into her bed with bedtime stories and gentle lullabies, she finally carved out a quiet moment entirely for herself. She indulged in a long, relaxing shower, and as she emerged from the steamy bathroom, her phone began chiming insistently.

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