Seeing the tworge trucks filled with gifts, Damon raised an eyebrow in surprise. "How much did you buy?"


    "I bought all of his birthday and holiday gifts until he turns 20," N answered. "I alsobeled and categorized them by year. When the timees, you can just pick one and give it to him."


    Damon was at a loss for words.


    After the service staff moved everything into the designated room, N finished organizing the gifts.


    When she turned around, she found Damon leaning silently against the doorframe.


    Sensing something was off, she asked, "Damon, what''s wrong?"


    He pressed his lips together, meeting her gaze. "You prepared all these gifts for Buddy... What about me? Don''t you have something for me to keep? Are you really nning to just leave like this?"


    N stepped closer, standing directly in front of him. "Buddy is the most precious thing I''m leaving for you. And I''m not disappearing forever. One day, the three of us will be together again."


    Damon pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly that she could feel his body trembling.


    She gently hugged him back, whispering, "Damon, as long as our hearts remain connected, that''s all that matters."


    It took a long time for Damon to finally calm down.


    Releasing her slightly, he gazed at her and asked, "When do you n to tell Buddy that you''re leaving?"


    "I haven''t decided yet," N replied.


    Leaving suddenly would be cruel to Mason, who was only five. It would be cruel to her, too.


    She didn''t know how long she''d be gone-maybe she''d never return. Maybe, when she did, he wouldn''t need her anymore.


    No matter what, time lost could never be recovered.


    Damon frowned. "You have to tell him tomorrow, or there won''t be time. If you can''t do it, I will."


    N bit her lip. "I''ll tell him."


    "Good," Damon replied.


    That night, after showering, Damon carried Mason into their bedroom.


    Mason''s bed was too small. There was barely enough space for N, let alone the three of them. If Damon insisted on squeezing in, he''d probably end up on the floor


    Mason was ced between them.


    IMS


    As Damonday down, he couldn''t help


    but


    righink-if only time could stope


    Then their family.


    wouldn''t have to separate ent


    Once he finally settled in, N turned off the lights.


    In the darkness, Damon wrapped his arms around both N and Mason, pressing


    a light kiss to her forehead.


    "Sleep," he said softly.


    The next morning, Damon woke at dawn.


    Noticing N wasn''t in bed, he frowned and got up to look for her.


    After searching the house, he finally found her in the garden, taking a morning stroll.


    Walking over, he took off his coat


    and draped it over her shoulderset


    "It''s cold in the morning. Why


    you


    t here dressed so lighte belongs to


    When he held her hand, it was ice-cold. Without another word, he picked her up and carried her inside.


    "I''m fine," N protested. "I just couldn''t sleep, so I came out for a walk. It''s not that cold."


    "Your hands are freezing. If I hadn''t woken up, you''d have turned into an ice block out here," Damon grunted.


    She chuckled. "You''re exaggerating. I''m wearing twoyers, it''s just my hands that are a little chilly."


    By the time she finished speaking, they were already inside the vi.


    "Alright, put me down. I''ll go upstairs and change," she said.


    Damon didn''t let go. Instead, he carried her toward the sofa. "Wait here. I''ll go upstairs and get you something warmer."


    "I''ll go up myself. Buddy is probably awake by now," N replied.