Ernest opened his mouth, but Nyla got there first, her voice sharp with disappointment.

“You just don’t get it, do you? You never listened. I gave you Hadley—what was wrong with her? I warned you over and over. And now look at what’s become of this. A broken home. A child in pain. This is the cost of your choices.”

Blazing with anger, she raised her hand and struck Eric hard.

“Is this what you wanted? Are you satisfied now? This is the result of your own reckless choices—your punishment!”

Still as stone, Eric didn’t flinch beneath her fury. He took every blow, every word, without protest.

Even with his memory gone, he didn’t dare argue. He couldn’t summon the courage to speak in his defense.

What kind of person had he been to deserve this kind of wrath?

“Grandma.” Ernest gently stepped in, trying to calm her.

“He understands now. He truly does.”

“You don’t get a pass either!” Nyla turned her fire on Ernest.

“Look at what you’ve done! You should feel lucky Locke still wants you as his father.”

Neither of the men spoke after that.

Letting out a weary breath, Nyla’s voice cracked as she motioned them away.

“Now go. I don’t want to see either of you right now.”

Eric lowered his head. The bitterness welled up from deep inside, sitting heavy on his tongue.

“Come on.” Ernest cast a glance at his brother before stepping toward the door.

Right before stepping out, Eric hesitated.

“Ernest… about Joy—”

“She’s with Hadley, and she’s calming down.” Ernest understood the concern in his brother’s voice.

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“Give it time. This has to be about what’s best for her. Don’t force anything.”

“I know.” Eric gave a small nod, guilt and uncertainty clouding his expression.

“I wouldn’t dream of forcing anything…”

Guilt pressed against his chest as he whispered, “With Joy like this… do you think she needs professional help? Someone she can talk to?”

That same thought, once lingering in Nyla’s and Ernest’s minds, had also taken root in his own.

“Yes,” Ernest said.

“I actually brought this up to Grandma earlier. Dr. Perkins is exceptional in promoting emotional wellness. He helped Locke’s mother before, and the results were incredible.”

“I’ll take care of it right away,” Eric said, his neatly groomed brows knitting in concern.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got this. I’ll make sure Joy doesn’t see me.”

“Okay.”

With Eric handling everything, Ernest had nothing further to say.

“Reach out to Hadley. And if you need anything from me, don’t hesitate.”

“Okay. Thanks, Ernest.”

At 9 p.m., Hadley’s phone buzzed with a call from Eric.

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