Damon paused mid-step and turned back to look at N. "Alright."


    Seeing him walking toward her again, clearly about to pick her up, she quickly stopped him. "No need, I can walk on my own."


    Afraid he''d insist on carrying her anyway, she immediately stood and hurried toward the stairs, taking the long way around the couch.


    Watching her flee, Damon couldn''t help but smirk. But as the smile lingered, a shadow of sadness darkened his gaze.


    Unaware of his emotions, N quickly returned to the bedroom.


    Mason was already awake, sitting on the bed, groggily rubbing his eyes.


    When he saw her, he asked in a soft, sleepy voice, "Mommy, when did you carry me here?"


    His messy bedhead and drowsy little face were so adorable that N couldn''t resist reaching out to pinch his cheek. "After you fell asleepst night. Now that you''re up, go back to your room and change, okay?"


    Mason nodded and was about to climb out of bed when he suddenly noticed something. "Mommy, I can''t find my slippers."


    N nced around and realized that when Damon had carried Mason overst night, they hadn''t brought his slippers along.


    "I''ll carry you back to your room, alright?" she offered.


    "Okay! Thank you, Mommy!" Mason cheered.


    As N picked him up, he wrapped his little arms around her neck and kissed her on the cheek. "Mommy, you''ve been so nice to me these past few days."


    Ever since he''d turned three, N hadn''t let him sleep in the same bed with her. N''s steps slowed as she asked, "When have I ever not been nice to you?" "You''re always nice to me, Mommy, buttely, you''ve been extra nice," Mason borated.


    "Are you happy about that?" N asked.


    "Yes! I love Mommy the most!" With that, Mason nted another kiss on her cheek.


    Seeing his bright little smile, N couldn''t help but smile too.


    After carrying him back to his room, she returned to the master bedroom to change.


    By the time she had dressed and finished washing up, Mason had already gone downstairs.


    Just as she was heading down, her phone rang-it was Harrison''s housekeeper. "Ms. Kinsey, the doctor checked on Mr. Jayston this morning and said he''s ready to be discharged. I''ll handle the paperwork shortly," she informed her.


    N replied, "Alright, thank you."


    After ending the call, she put her phone away and walked over to Mason, who was sitting on the couch. "Buddy, Mommy has something to tell you."


    He looked up from his book. "What is it, Mommy?"


    N hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Mommy has to go somewhere far away in a couple of days, and we won''t be able to see each other for a long time. While I''m gone, you have to listen to Daddy and be good, okay?"


    The book in Mason''s hands dropped to the floor. Tears welled up in his big, round eyes.


    "Mommy... are you going to die? I don''t want you to die!" Crying, he threw himself into N''s arms, clung to her, and refused to let go.


    N''s heart ached, but his misunderstanding made herugh despite herself.


    She gently wiped his tears and


    rified, Mommy''s just going somewhere far away, and we might not be able to see each other for a


    few years. But we can still talk on the phone, okay?"


    "I don''t believe you..." Mason sobbed harder. "There''s a kid in my ss whose dad passed away. Before he died, also said he was going somewhere far away... Mommy, I don''t want you to die!"


    Seeing him cry so hard he could barely breathe, N tried to console him. "That''s


    not the same, sweetie. Didn''t I just say? We can still call and video chat.