Chapter 226

Josiah drove at a relaxed pace, slowing as he passed the park. He pulled over, lowered his window, and looked around, hoping to see Joyce. It seemed unlikely, considering her hospital visit yesterday. To his surprise, there she was, dressed warmly and sitting on a swing, gently pushed by a slightly older boy. Josiah opened his car door and stepped out.

The boy asked, "Are you having fun?"

"Uh-huh!" Joyce replied.

"Would you like to go even higher?"

"Yes, please!"

Josiah walked over, taking hold of the swing ropes. Joyce's hat and mask obscured most of her face, revealing only her large eyes. Upon seeing him, her face lit up.

"Josiah?" she exclaimed, jumping down. Josiah quickly caught her, lifting her into his arms.

"Josiah," she snuggled against his shoulder, "Did you come to find me?"

"Yes, I did," Josiah replied, a smile playing on his lips. "Is there something you need from me?"

"Yes!" Grinning, Josiah produced a small jewelry box. "This is for you, Joyce. See if you like it."

Joyce's eyes sparkled. "Wow! It's Minnie! It's so beautiful!" She reached for it, then hesitated. "What's the matter?" Josiah asked, raising an eyebrow. "Don't you like it?"

"I do!" she nodded eagerly, uncertainty lingering. "But Mommy taught me not to take other people's things." Josiah thought of her attentive nature; her mother had instilled excellent values.

"Don't worry," he said, gently stroking her hair. "We're friends; Minnie was mischievous and ran away, so I caught two to keep you company."

Joyce's eyes glistened. Touched by his remembering her lost Minnie, she hugged him. "Thank you, Josiah! I like them!"

Her words warmed his heart. "Me too," he said, removing a hairpin from the box. "Would you like me to put it in your hair?"

"Yes, please!" she exclaimed, delighted at the prospect of wearing both Minnies.

"All set," Josiah said. Joyce, unable to see clearly, gently touched her head. "Josiah, do I look pretty?"

"Absolutely," Josiah smiled. "You're the most beautiful little princess in the world!"

Giggling happily, Joyce beamed. "Thank you, Josiah!"

"No need to thank me," he replied. While captivated by her adorable appearance, a growing concern surfaced. He knew from their first meeting that her health was fragile, but he didn't know the specifics of her illness. Given their joyful connection, perhaps he could help. He began, "Joyce…"

Suddenly, Tara rushed over. "Joyce!" She swiftly snatched Joyce from Josiah's arms, offering him a stiff smile. "Hello."

"Hello," Josiah replied. Tara pointed to the hairpin. "Return them to Josiah, alright?" Having expected only a brief conversation, she was surprised Joyce accepted the gift.

"Please, no!" Joyce shielded the hairpins. "They were a gift from Josiah! I like them!"

"Don't be naughty," Tara said.

"It's alright," Josiah said, smiling to ease the tension. "They were a gift for Joyce; they're not valuable."

Before Tara could continue, Josiah waved goodbye. "I'm heading off now; bye."

"Goodbye, Josiah," Joyce said.

Not far away, Sienna stood frozen in shock. The Minnies were a gift from Josiah to Joyce! They knew each other! Even more surprising, Joyce seemed to like him! How did things get this far? What had she missed?

When Tara returned with Joyce, Sienna was already home. Tara mumbled, "Oh! Sienna's shoes are here; she must be back! Oh no, she's going to be angry!"

Sienna approached. "What's going on? Why would I be angry?"

"Mommy!" Joyce ran into her mother's arms. "You're back!"

"Good girl," Sienna lifted her, helping her remove her coat. Tara pointed to Joyce's hair. "Joyce has a new friend named Josiah, and he gave her two hairpins." She added, recalling her earlier mention, "That's the guy from the park."

"Mommy!" Joyce tugged at her arm. "Josiah is a good person!"

"A good person?" Tara scoffed. "Just because he gave you hairpins, he's a good person? It's just a pair of hairpins. They're not worth anything!"

Tara rolled up her sleeves. "I'll let your mother deal with you; I'm off to cook."

Sienna remained silent, examining the hairpins. They were no ordinary accessories; while Tara thought they were rhinestones, each stone was a real diamond.

"Joyce," Sienna said, her tone serious. "Tara's right; it's not okay to accept gifts like this. Take off those hairpins and return them to Josiah when you see him again."

Overwhelmed by the sudden closeness between Joyce and Josiah, Sienna felt a deep fear. "Come here," she said, reaching for Joyce. "Mommy will help you take them off."

"No, no!" Joyce covered her head. "These were a gift from Josiah! I love them! I don't want to take them off!"

Sienna was taken aback; her daughter had always obeyed. This was Joyce's first act of defiance, all because of Josiah, a father who had never taken responsibility.

Sienna's face darkened. "Joyce! I asked you to take off the hairpins; did you hear me?"

Joyce trembled, tears welling. "Mommy is being unreasonable!" She ran to her room. "I won't listen to you anymore!"