Chapter 526

Chapter 526:

“Be good, sweetheart. You need to get your shot,” she murmured, tucking a stray curl behind Joy’s ear. “If you don’t, you’ll get sick, and… Mommy will be really worried.”

Joy, who had been pouting in resistance, suddenly perked up at the…

Last part.

“Like Mommy is now?” she asked sweetly.

“Yes,” Hadley said with a small smile. “When Mommy gets sick, doesn’t Joy worry too?”

“I do,” Joy answered without hesitation.

She sat still for a moment, her tiny fists clenched, clearly torn between fear and bravery. “I don’t want Mommy to worry… I’ll get the shot.”

Hadley’s chest tightened with pride. “Joy is such a good girl.”

“Well then!” Melba clapped her hands and lifted Joy into her arms. “Let’s go, sweetheart! And if you’re brave and don’t cry, I’ll buy you a candy later, okay?”

Joy’s head rested against Melba’s shoulder, but she turned to Hadley for confirmation. “Mommy, is that okay?”

“Yes.” She added, “But only one.”

Joy beamed. “Yay! Thank you, Mommy!”

Snuggling closer to Melba, Joy then whispered happily, “Thank you, Melba! I promise I won’t cry!”

“Alright, brave girl,” Melba said warmly before heading out.

Elissa, who had been watching from the side, let out a dreamy sigh. “Joy is adorable,” she said wistfully, plopping into a chair. “Your daughter is the kind that makes anyone want to have daughters.” She dropped her bag onto the table, and then gestured toward Hadley’s bandaged hand. “Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word about it.

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Alright, let me take a look at your hand. Do you need your dressing changed?”

Hadley showed her palm to her friend. “I think it’s fine…”

Elissa’s brows furrowed as she carefully unwrapped the bandage. It didn’t look fine at all. The wound looked inflamed, the skin around it reddened, irritated.

“This doesn’t look great,” she murmured. “We should get you to a…”

“Hospital.”

“No—” Hadley jerked back instantly, her face paling, shoulders trembling slightly. “If I go to a hospital, he’ll find me.”

Hadley had learned from Elissa that Eric had been to the dance troupe, interrogating everyone, searching every corner of the city.

He wasn’t giving up.

And Hadley… she didn’t want to see him.

“Alright, alright! No hospitals. We won’t go.” Elissa glanced at Hadley’s trembling hands and softened her voice.

In the elevator bank, Phillips studied the panel, his tone low but precise.

“Mr. Flynn, Elissa got off on the ninth floor.”

Eric gave a small nod, barely acknowledging the words.

With a soft chime, the elevator doors slid open.

Eric stepped out first—sharp, focused. At that exact moment, the doors of the adjacent elevator parted. From inside, Melba emerged, cradling Joy in her arms.

“Alright, sweet girl—let’s get that candy!”

As the doors clicked shut before him, Eric looked up. That child… Was that… Joy?

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