Harrison''s response was immediate. "I''m not going. I''ve lived in Saintornia all my life, and I''m used to it here. Besides, with my health as it is, I don''t have many years left anyway. I''d rather not move around."


    N''s heart sank. "Dad, you''ll live a long and healthy life."


    Harrison gave a faint smile. "At my age, with my body the way it is, every day is a gift. The only thing I can''t stop worrying about is you. Otherwise, whether I live or die wouldn''t matter to me."


    "Please take care of yourself," she implored.


    "I will. Since your mother is willing to entrust thepany she''s built over the years to you, make sure you work hard and don''t let her down," he advised.


    In Harrison''s mind, Emerald was still the gentle and kind woman he''d known years ago. He had no reason to doubt what N told him.


    "I will," N replied.


    After sitting with him a while longer and discussing a few things, she finally took her leave.


    When she returned to the car, her eyes were red, and tears shimmered in them. She didn''t know if she''d still have the chance to see Harrison after she left for Meristate.


    Damon immediately pulled her into his arms. "N, don''t worry. After you leave, I''ll bring Dad to the vi to take care of him. If he doesn''t want to move, I''ll arrange for more people to look after him."


    "Thank you. I''ll be counting on you," N replied.


    "You''re my wife, N. He''s my father too. This is what I should do," Damon reassured.


    "Alright. Let''s go home," she said.


    When they returned to the vi, Mason was already awake, sitting at the dining table and eating breakfast.


    N walked over to him. "Buddy,


    Mommy and Daddy got you a few days off school. We''re going to take a triptogether. How does that sound?"


    Mason''s eyes widened in disbelief, a half-eaten toast frozen in his hand. "Really, Mommy?"


    "Of course. Didn''t you write in your reward list that you wanted to go on a trip with us?" N asked.


    He cheered, "Yeah! When are we leaving?"


    His excitement was palpable. It wasn''t just about the trip-he got to skip school!


    "As soon as you finish breakfast, we''ll pack and leave," N answered. Hearing this, Mason immediately dropped the toast and tried to climb off his chair.


    N stopped him. "Buddy, what did Mommy teach you about wasting food?"


    at


    Mason looked at the toast, then at his serious expression, and reluctantly sat back down to finish eating. He ate so fast that he ended up choking on hisst bite


    N quickly handed him a ss of milk, which he gulped down to clear his throat.


    After wiping the milk from his mouth, Mason looked at her eagerly. "Can I pack now, Mommy?"


    N sighed, amused. "Go ahead, but take your time. There''s no rush. Mommy and Daddy haven''t started packing yet."


    "Okay!" Despite his promise to take it slow, Mason bolted upstairs as fast as his little legs could carry him, disappearing around the corner in seconds.