Chapter 226 Did She Overlook Something
Eric navigated the car slowly, particularly as they neared the riverside park.
He intentionally stopped the car and lowered the window, peering out in hopes of spotting Joy.
Considering Joy had been hospitalized just the day before, he actually wasn’t optimistic about seeing her here today.
Yet, there she was unexpectedly!
Joy, well–wrapped against the cold, sat on a swing, gently pushed by a boy who seemed slightly older.
Eric exited the vehicle.
“Enjoying yourself?” the boy behind Joy asked.
“Yup!
“Want to swing higher?”
“Oh yes, please! Haha…”
“Joy,” Eric called out, reaching for the swing’s ropes to stabilize them.
Joy had her hat and mask on, leaving only her eyes visible, which sparkled as she noticed Eric.
“You’re here!” she cried out joyfully.
With a leap from the swing, the little girl was quickly enveloped in Eric’s welcoming arms.
Snuggling against him, Joy asked, “Did you come just to see me?”
“Indeed, I did,” Eric answered, his smile broadening.
“Do you need something from me?” Joy asked, curious.
“Actually, I have something for you,” Eric replied, producing a small box from his coat pocket and flicking it open with a deft flick of his wrist.
“This is for you, Joy. What do you think?”
Her eyes lit up at the sight of the gift. “It’s beautiful!”
As she reached out tentatively, her hand paused mid–air.
“What’s the matter?” Eric asked, a curious look crossing his face. “Isn’t it to your liking?”
“I love it.” Joy quickly reassured, yet with a pause. “But Mommy said I shouldn’t accept gifts from strangers.
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mother
her, gently tousling her hair. “We’re friends, right? Remember your hairpin that went missing?
shimmered, touched by his
hadn’t expected him to remember she liked
she threw her arms around him. “Thank
heart swelled with a warm, affectionate glow. “And I like
box. “May I put these on for you?”
“Please do!”
to
Joy
“Do I
ok nice?”
Eric confirmed with smile, his eyes soft. “Joy, you’re the prettiest girl
air, her voice light and joyful.
“You’re most welcome.”
his heartstrings
encounter in Blathe, he had been aware of her frail
closer connection, he considered offering
“Joy, you…”
“Joy!”
moment, Melba reappeared, disrupting the conversation.
“Oh, my!”
into her arms, offering Eric a polite
“Hello.”
hairpins adorning Joy’s
point, ‘she had
were merely conversing, yet
“No, no!”
“He
“You…”
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quickly assured with a reassuring smile, aiming to defuse the tension. “I gifted them to Joy.
“But, this…”
turning his attention to Joy. “I must be off now. Say goodbye
to me.”
“Okay, goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
observed the scene,
for
Joy clearly had
did it come to this?
overlook something?
Joy could return, Hadley had
herself, “Huh? Your mom’s shoes are here. She’s back! Oh no, she’s going to
mock puzzled look. “What’s the issue? Why would I
lit up as she joyously sprinted into her mother’s embrace.
Hadley responded warmly, lifting Joy into her arms and
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