After changing their clothes, Damon led them to a shallower spring more suitable for Mason. He stepped in first to test the temperature, then carefully lowered Mason into the water.


    As soon as Mason felt the warmth, he beamed. "It''s so cozy!"


    Damon chuckled and let go once he was sure Mason was steady. The shallow depth was perfect for Mason, as the water reached his neck when seated.


    For Damon and N, however, it was a bit too shallow.


    After Mason adjusted to the spring, Damon turned to N. "Should we move to one of the deeper springs? This one feels a little chilly."


    N hesitated, ncing at Mason as he sshed around. "But I''d feel uneasy leaving Buddy here alone."


    "I''ll call for some staff to keep an eye on him. He''ll be fine," Damon said.


    After a moment of thought, N nodded. "Alright."


    Once the staff arrived to supervise Mason, Damon led N to a nearby, deeper spring.


    As she sank into the warm water, which reached up to her shoulders, she sighed in satisfaction. "This is so rxing."


    Now she understood why Mason had been so excited earlier.


    Damon moved behind her and began massaging her shoulders. "You didn''t sleep wellst night, did you? Let me help you loosen up."


    She nced back at him. "It''s fine. Just soaking in the hot spring is enough."


    "Come on, let me take care of you. Who knows when we''ll get another chance like this?" Damon replied.


    His words made the mood heavier.


    N lowered her gaze, sadness flickering across her face.


    "N, I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have said that," Damon apologized.


    She turned and hugged him tightly, her voice soft. "It''s okay. I don''t want to leave you and Buddy either."


    Seeing Damon and Masonughing and enjoying themselves was her greatest happiness-one she knew would soon be a memory.


    Even though she didn''t know when or if she''d return, she was willing to sacrifice her own


    happiness to protect Prospectu


    Technology and ensure Mason could stay with Damon, safe and free from maniption.


    Damon held her close, his voice firm. "Alright, no more thinking about that. We''re here to enjoy these three days together, so let''s make them happy ones."


    "Okay," N said.


    "Now, turn around. I''ll massage your shoulders," he offered.


    She nodded and turned, lowering her head to hide her reddened eyes.


    What she didn''t see was Damon''s tearful expression behind her.


    An hourter, they finished their soak and returned to find Mason who had been hopping from one spring to another, more interested in ying with the water than soaking.


    When he spotted them, he quickly climbed out and ran to N. "Mommy, this ce is so fun!"


    N smiled. "I''m d you''re having a good time, but you''ve been in the water long enough. Too much can make you feel lightheaded.


    "Let''s go shower, have lunch, and take a nap beforeing back in the afternoon, alright?"