Chapter 268

Chapter 268:

Was this issue truly so significant that Eric felt the need to confront Linda directly?

Linda murmured softly, her voice laced with derision, “Why?”

Wasn’t it Eric who had initially wanted Hadley blacklisted? And now, he was holding Linda accountable simply for taking a phone call for him? It was absurd.

Had Eric completely erased their shared history from his mind? Had life been too easy for him, making him believe he was untouchable now?

Or was it possible that Eric only valued his brother in the hospital, selectively forgetting how much he owed to Linda as well?

“No, no…” Linda gently shook her head.

Eric couldn’t possibly forget, nor should he. These memories were supposed to be etched into his very essence, a permanent part of who he was.

At West Twelfth Alley, Hadley was on a video call with Joy, thanks to Mathias, who had let Joy use his phone.

“Mommy!” Joy’s cheerful voice burst through the screen, her enthusiasm infectious.

“Joy.”

Seeing her daughter on the screen made Hadley’s heart soften completely. She often reflected on how blessed she was to have Joy in her life. Without her, the years of hardship and suffering might have made Hadley grow cold and distant. But Joy had transformed all that.

A single glance at her daughter washed away any lingering bitterness or irritation. Truly, children were miracles—little blessings in their purest form.

“Mommy, I’ve been really good. I’ve listened to Uncle Mathias, and I’ve been brave with my shots and medicine, just like I should.”

“Is that so?” Hadley responded, her face breaking into a gentle smile. “That makes my baby girl truly remarkable.”

Handling years of medical treatments was challenging for anyone, especially a child. Luckily, Joy’s surgery was approaching.

Once it was done, she would be healthy—no more daily medications, no more frequent injections. She would be just like her peers.

Thinking about Joy’s bravery, Hadley said, “You’ve been so brave, you deserve something special. Mommy will buy you a gift. What would you like?”

She added playfully, “It can even be something fancy.”

In the past, juggling work, school, and parenting Joy meant there wasn’t much room in the budget for expensive toys, though every child naturally yearns for them.

The date for Joy’s surgery was rapidly approaching, marking a significant milestone for a child of only three. Hadley had made a resolution some time ago to treat Joy to something special. For months, she had saved every possible penny, even limiting her diet to the simplest meals of bread and water. Being young and healthy, Hadley could manage the sacrifice. Yet, Joy deserved a treat.

“Mommy,” Joy said, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and hesitation. “Can I really choose?”

“Absolutely,” Hadley responded, feeling a blend of pain and joy as she maintained a reassuring smile. “What is it that you’d like, sweetheart?”

“Mommy,” Joy’s voice brightened. “I want Minnie!”

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