After what felt like a long time, there was a knock at the study door.


    "Come in," Damon called.


    N opened the door and stepped inside, surprised to find Damon standing by the window. "Damon, don''t you have work to do?"


    Damon turned to face her. "No, I rescheduled everything for the next few days. I also called Buddy''s kindergarten to request some time off for him."


    "Mm." N nodded. "There''s something I wanted to discuss with you."


    "What is it?" Damon asked.


    "I just saw one of Buddy''s reward requests. He wants to go on a trip with both of us. I was thinking... maybe the three of us could spend the next three days together and take a short trip," N suggested.


    A flicker of surprise crossed Damon''s face before he nodded. "Alright, I''ll find a resort for us."


    "Thank you," N replied.


    "There''s no need for thanks between us," Damon said softly, then paused. "But..... how do you n to tell Buddy about you leaving?"


    The question made N falter, her gaze dropping to the floor. She had never been separated from Mason before, and the thought of exining it to him filled her with dread.


    Damon pulled her into his arms, his voice gentle. "If you don''t know how to say it yet, wait until you''re ready."


    She nodded, leaning into his embrace. "Okay."


    Resting against his chest, she began listing all the little things Damon needed to take care of for Mason.


    "Buddy is afraid of thunderstorms. If it rains at night, you must stay with him until he falls asleep. He hates carrots, but you need to ensure he eats them at least once a week to prevent vision problems..."


    She rambled on, listing every little detail, and Damon quietly listened to it all.


    By the time N was done, her voice had grown choked with emotion, and her eyes were red.


    If she could, she would never leave Damon and Mason.


    Damon gently patted her back. "N, don''t worry. I''ll take good care of Buddy and will work hard to strengthen Prospectus Technology. I promise it won''t be long before I can bring you back."


    She nodded, her voice trembling. "I trust you. I just... got so focused on Buddy


    that I forgot to remind you to take care of yourself, too.


    "You need to eat on time every day. If your stomach starts acting up again and I''m not around, I know you won''t take it seriously.


    "I''ll have Spencer check on you regrly. When I return, I''ll personally ask him if you''ve been eating and sleeping well."


    Damon couldn''t help butugh.


    "Alright, I promise I''ll take care of


    myself Besides, if I let my health fail


    and


    you decide I''m not worth keeping, what will I do then?


    "At least you''d know," she replied with a small smile.


    After wiping her reddened eyes, she stepped out of his arms. "I won''t disturb you anymore. Don''t stay up toote working."


    Just as she turned to leave, Damon


    pulled her back into his embraces "You''re leaving for Meristate in three


    ЭЛ


    us on work?"


    Do you think I''ll have the heart


    "Then let''s just chat for a while," N suggested.


    "Okay. But before you leave, shouldn''t you visit Dad?" Damon asked.


    N blinked in surprise at his words and looked up at him. "You''re calling him that already?"


    "I adapt quickly," Damon replied.


    N thought for a moment and said, "I''ll go see him tomorrow morning. Just me— you and Buddy can stay home."


    "Alright," Damon said.


    They spent a little more time in the study before N broke the silence. "I''m going


    to shower now. I need to get up early tomorrow."


    "Okay. I''ll join you," Damon said.


    Her face flushed red, and she waved her hands dismissively. "That''s not


    necessary. I... uh, want to shower alone..."


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!