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
comforted her, gently tousling her hair. “We’re friends, right? Remember your hairpin that went missing? I found this new pair for you. Look, they also
touched
to remember she
around him. “Thank you!
glow. “And I like you very
the box. “May I put these on for
“Please do!”
hairpins, each poised to become a cherished
place?” Joy patted her
“Do I
heart ok nice?”
with smile, his eyes soft. “Joy, you’re the prettiest girl in the whole
laughter filled the air, her voice
“You’re most welcome.”
at his heartstrings to delve
had been aware of her
closer connection, he considered offering
“Joy, you…”
“Joy!”
moment, Melba reappeared,
“Oh, my!”
arms, offering Eric a polite
“Hello.”
the hairpins adorning Joy’s
point, ‘she had
merely conversing, yet Joy had received a
“No, no!”
to her hair. “He gave them to me!
“You…”
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with a reassuring smile, aiming to defuse the tension. “I gifted them to Joy.
“But, this…”
Melba to continue, instead turning his attention to Joy.
to me.”
“Okay, goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
Hadley observed the scene, her expression one of shock.
those hairpins were for Joy… for her Joy!
knew each other? More than that, Joy clearly
come to
overlook something?
Joy could return, Hadley had already arrived back
“Huh? Your mom’s shoes are here. She’s back! Oh no, she’s going to be furious
puzzled look. “What’s the
Joy’s eyes lit up as she joyously
arms and helping her out of
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