“Joy…” Hadley turned away, the pressure in her chest tightening with a quiet ache she couldn’t name.

With a gentle voice, she tried to say, “Sweetheart, you’ve got it all wrong. That man isn’t your daddy.”

“That’s not true!” Joy’s voice cracked as she sobbed harder, her small chest rising and falling in hiccups.

Tilting her chin upward, she shouted, “He is my daddy!”

Her little shoes pounded against the floor, her frustration spilling over. “I know he is!”

“Joy…” The sight of Joy’s tear-covered cheeks struck Hadley with a deep, aching sadness.

Without waiting, she gathered the little girl into her arms, brushing away the tears as she whispered, “It’s okay now, sweetheart. Don’t cry.”

At the same time, Eric’s eyes drifted slowly from the child to the woman holding her.

A sudden stir tightened his chest, and he couldn’t quite explain why.

Something about them—those matching features and the way they fit together—left him quietly stunned.

Without warning, a scowl began to form on Eric’s face.

A strange weight settled in his chest, though he couldn’t put a name to the feeling. Before he could dwell on it, his phone buzzed loudly, cutting through the silence.

With swift fingers, Eric checked the caller ID and brought the phone to his ear.

Megan’s voice came through with a hint of impatience. “Are you finished? I’m already waiting in the garage.”

“I’ll be there in a minute.” Dragging a hand across his forehead, Eric added, “Just hang on a little longer.”

Megan’s tone softened. “Sure, no rush. Take all the time you need.”

? ? : ν

“Alright.”

Once the call ended, Eric slid the phone into his pocket and turned to Phillips. “We’re leaving.”

Though his expression remained neutral, Phillips hesitated before giving a small nod. “Understood.”

Without saying more, he signaled the bodyguards to move.

One of the bodyguards raised his voice while motioning forward. “Please move!” At that, the gathered onlookers began to shift, slowly thinning out.

A shiver ran through Joy as it dawned on her—Eric was walking away. In a sudden burst, she wriggled out of Hadley’s hold and sprinted toward him.

“Daddy!”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she reached out, lips trembling. “Don’t leave me! Daddy, please! Hold me…”

But this time, she didn’t get close.

Just as Joy lunged forward again, Eric stepped aside.

That single move caused Joy to miss him entirely, and she stumbled, crashing to the floor.

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.

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