She shouted as she raced forward. “Daddy! That’s Daddy!” Each word grew bolder as she closed the gap.

Confusion swept through Colleen. Why was Joy bolting away all of a sudden? Snapping into action, Colleen stood and hurried after her. “Joy! Why are you running? Come back here!”

Joy paid no mind, the sound of her name lost in the flurry of her determination. With every stride, her voice carried more desperation. “Daddy! Daddy!”

The tall man made a turn, showing only his back to the little girl, and then with his group, he began striding away with haste.

“Daddy!” Joy’s cry wavered as tears crept in. “Daddy!” Her voice broke. Her ice cream tumbled from her grasp and splattered across the floor, but she did not stop. She pressed on, chasing after Eric with everything she had.

The little girl’s desperate cries caught Phillips’ attention. He spun around and spotted Joy at once. Shock flickered across his face. Joy was here!

His first reaction was to watch Eric for any sign of recognition, but the man remained oblivious to Joy.

Ferris’ instructions echoed in his mind. Eric was never to see Hadley or Joy again. And after what Hadley had done, the whole situation seemed impossible to fix.

A lump formed in Phillips’ throat. He felt torn in half.

He turned to check on Joy. Tears streamed down the girl’s cheeks. Phillips felt his chest tighten. No one could look at a child like her and feel nothing—she was Eric’s precious little girl.

He spoke up quietly. “Mr. Scott…” There was a plea in his tone, hoping Eric would notice Joy if he just looked.

“What is it?” Eric responded with a furrowed brow.

Phillips pointed him toward the commotion behind them. Eric shifted, glancing back.

“Daddy!” Joy’s cry rang out. She was only a few steps away now. The father she had missed so much finally stood before her.

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Phillips wasn’t the only one who saw it. The Scott family bodyguards recognized her too. They all knew this child belonged to Eric.

A hush fell over the group. Nobody had the heart to hold Joy back.

“Daddy!” At last, Joy reached Eric and wrapped her arms around his leg, refusing to let go.

“Daddy!” Her voice broke as she sobbed against him.

Eric stared down in disbelief. For a moment, he was paralyzed.

Really? Daddy? Did he just hear that right?

“Hold on…” Eric glanced down, finding Joy still clutching his leg. Sure, she was a lovely little girl, but that alone didn’t mean she could call him “Daddy.”

Eric knelt down and gently took hold of her chubby arm. “Little one, you must be confused. I’m not your daddy. Take a good look.”

A tremor ran through Joy’s small frame. She tilted her head back and gazed up at him, her eyes wide and searching. She studied his features, hoping for reassurance.

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