Chapter 651

Chapter 651:

“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 motion 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 him, yet with a pause. “But Mommy said I shouldn’t accept gifts from strangers.”

Eric was pleasantly surprised by her maturity; her mother had clearly done an excellent job raising her.

“Don’t worry,” he 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 have Minnie Mouse on them.”

Joy’s eyes shimmered, touched by his thoughtfulness.

She hadn’t expected him to remember she liked Minnie Mouse! Gratefully, she threw her arms around him. “Thank you! I really like you!”

His heart swelled with a warm, affectionate glow. “And I like you very much too, Joy.”

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗴⍺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧸ⅽ𝗈𝗺

He selected the hairpins from the box. “May I put these on for you?”

“Please do!”

Two new hairpins, each poised to become a cherished companion.

“Are they in place?” Joy patted her head, searching. “Do I look nice?”

“You look very beautiful,” Eric confirmed with a heartfelt smile, his eyes soft. “Joy, you’re the prettiest girl in the whole world!”

Joy’s laughter filled the air, her voice light and joyful. “Thank you!”

“You’re most welcome.”

Observing Joy’s charming expressions, Eric felt a pull at his heartstrings to delve deeper into her health issues.

Since their first encounter in Blathe, he had been aware of her frail condition, yet the specifics remained elusive to him.

Now, feeling a closer connection, he considered offering his support.

“Joy, you…”

“Joy!”

At that moment, Melba reappeared, disrupting the conversation. “Oh, my!”

She swiftly scooped Joy into her arms, offering Eric a polite but cool smile.

“Hello.”

“Hello.”

“Joy!” Melba gestured towards the hairpins adorning Joy’s head.

“Those need to be returned, okay?”

From her vantage point, she had witnessed the entire exchange. She had assumed they were merely conversing, yet Joy had received a gift.

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