“Joy?” The moment the crying started, Hadley pulled Joy into her arms, her voice laced with panic.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

“No! I don’t want this!” Tears streamed down Joy’s cheeks as she screamed and shook her head over and over, overwhelmed and heartbroken.

Her outburst sent a wave of shock across the playground—Hadley wasn’t the only one taken aback. Nyla turned quickly. Locke paused mid-step. And from a short distance away, Eric froze, his heart pounding.

“Joy!” He couldn’t hold back anymore. He sprinted forward, reaching them in seconds.

“What happened? Why are you crying?”

“You—” Hadley spun toward him, her eyes brimming with frustration and fear.

“I told you to stay back! Why didn’t you listen? You need to leave!”

“But she’s upset—” Eric looked lost, refusing to move as he shook his head.

“I just want to help… Joy…”

At the sight of him, Joy’s sobs only intensified.

Tears rolled down her reddened face as she pounded her tiny fists in the air, her voice cracking with anguish.

“No! I don’t want him! I don’t want it!”

That moment made everything clear to Eric.

Joy wanted nothing to do with him.

“Enough!” Hadley’s voice cracked as she pushed Eric back, her face pale with guilt and rising panic.

“I told you to stay away! Why didn’t you listen?”

Without wasting another second, she pulled Joy into her arms, holding her like she could shield her from the world.

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she whispered urgently, “He’s gone now, sweetheart. Don’t cry. Shhhh… he’s gone.”

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Pressed against her mother, Joy sobbed with a brokenness too heavy for someone so young.

She trembled as the words poured from her in gasps, saying, “I don’t want Dad! I don’t want him!”

The sound of her voice knocked the breath out of Eric.

He stood frozen in place, the weight of her rejection hitting him like a violent storm.

Every word struck him with unbearable force.

“Okay, okay…” Hadley rocked her daughter gently, tears soaking her face as she said through trembling lips, “Mommy understands… no Dad. It’s just you and me. Don’t cry anymore.”

She shifted her gaze toward Eric, eyes sharp with fury.

Through clenched teeth, she said, “Why are you still here? I told you to leave!”

Frozen where he stood, Eric looked as if the life had drained from his face.

“Can’t you see she’s in distress?” Hadley raised her voice, each word a blade.

“Go now!”

In her arms, Joy writhed and kicked, her cries rising higher.

“Make him leave! Mom, please! Great-grandma! Uncle Ernest! Tell him to go!”

No grown-up could stand by and watch that without feeling it deep in their chest.

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