Hearing Damon''s response, N finally felt relieved. "That''s good to hear."


    "Let''s eat," Damon said.


    "Okay." N picked up her utensils, ready to grab some food when her phone suddenly rang.


    Seeing Alexander''s name on the screen, her expression shifted slightly. She set her utensils down and answered.


    As soon as the call connected, Alexander''s voice came through. "N, your mom''s flightnds in two hours. I''m heading to the airport to pick her up. Do you want toe along?"


    N clutched her phone, her breathing growing heavier. It took her a few seconds to respond. "No, I''m busy tonight. Anything else?"


    "How about tomorrow? Can we meet somewhere? She really wants to see you," Alexander asked.


    "We''ll see," she said hurriedly, then ended the call.


    Noticing her pale expression, Damon took her hand and said softly, "If you don''t want to see her, then don''t. You don''t have to force yourself."


    Taking a deep breath, N shook her head. "No, I want to see her. I just... I''m not ready yet."


    Drake was already enough of a threat for Damon to handle. If the Nixons got involved, things would only be harder for him.


    She needed to meet them and figure out their intentions.


    "No matter what you decide, I''ll support you," Damon reassured her.


    After dinner, Damon went to his study to work. N stayed behind to y with Mason, but her mind kept drifting back to the phone call.


    Several times, Mason had to call her repeatedly before she noticed.


    Finally, Mason said with a hint of exasperation, "Mommy, if you''re tired, you should rest. I can y by myself."


    Snapping out of it, N looked at Mason apologetically. "I''m sorry, Buddy. I''ll y with you tomorrow, okay?"


    "Okay. Go rest, Mommy," Mason replied.


    Back in her room, N showered and got ready for bed, but sleep wouldn''te. She sat up, grabbed her phone, and started reading a book to pass the time.


    After a while, a message from Alexander popped up.


    When she opened it, she saw a


    picture of Emerald at the airport. She was wearing a fur coat over a


    vel


    V-neck dress, her skin fair and radiant A pair of oversized sunsses hid most of her face. Stylish and elegant, she looked like she was in her early 30s.


    This wasn''t the warm, humble mother N remembered.


    Alexander followed up with a voice message: "N, I picked up your mom. She''s upset you didn''te. She wants to see you tomorrow. Let me know what time works for you."


    Gripping her phone tightly, N took a long time to reply.


    N: [I understand. I''m busy tomorrow morning. Let''s n for the afternoon. You


    pick the ce.]


    Although she hadn''t seen her


    mother in years, she felt no excitement, only distance. After all, the wo woman who had once loved her and given her everything wasn''t the same anymore.


    In Alexander''s car, Emerald was alreadyining. "You''ve been in Saintornia for so long, and you still haven''t brought her back. How are you handling this?"


    Alexander nced at her and muttered, "Aunt Emerald, she''s a person, not an object. I can''t just take her away without asking if she''s willing."


    "It doesn''t matter what she wants. What matters is that I need her in Meristate," Emerald stated.


    Her tone wasmanding, ustomed to control. How others felt had never been a concern for her.