After a long pause, Alexander finally spoke tofort Mason. "Buddy, don''t be sad. Your mom probably has something important to take care of, but she''ll definitelye back to you one day."


    Mason wiped his tears. "How long is ''one day''?"


    "Well... I''m not sure. You''ll have to ask your mom," Alexander replied.


    "Okay..." Mason muttered.


    Alexander continued to console him for a while before ending the call. He set his phone down, walked over to the window, and let out a quiet sigh as he gazed into the night.


    N was leaving for Meristate, and who knew when she''d be able to return? It might be years before Mason could see her again.


    ...


    N paced anxiously around the living room, constantly ncing up at the second floor. Worry was etched on her face as Mason still refused to leave his room.


    Seeing her restlessness, Damon walked over, gently took her arm, and guided her to sit on the couch.


    "N, worrying won''t help. Buddy needs time to process this. If he still won''te out in a few hours, I''ll go talk to him, okay?" he suggested.


    N nodded. "I just... I''m afraid he''ll stay locked in his room too long. What if something happens?"


    "It won''t. Trust me, Buddy is stronger than you think," Damon reassured.


    N''s nerves gradually settled.


    ...


    Two hourster, she went upstairs to check on Mason. The tray of food she had


    left at his door remained untouched.


    She bit her lip and knocked softly. "Buddy, are you asleep?"


    A moment passed before his muffled voice came through the door. "I don''t want to eat. Leave me alone."


    His tone was full of frustration, still upset about her leaving.


    N turned to Damon with worry in her eyes. "What should I do? He still won''t talk to me."


    "It''s okay. You should go back to your room. I''ll talk to him," Damon said.


    "But-" N tried to protest.


    Damon looked at her firmly. "I know you''re worried, but right now, he''s not ready to listen to you. If you stay, he won''t open the door. Trust me.


    Let me handle it."


    After a moment of hesitation, she finally nodded. "Alright... I''ll wait in the bedroom."


    "Good," Damon replied.


    Once N left, Damon gently knocked on the door. "Buddy, can you open the door? Let''s have a talk."


    "No! You and Mommy are both terrible! I don''t want to see either of you ever again!" Mason cried.


    Damon lowered his voice and spoke patiently. Buddy, whether you agree or not, your mom is leaving the day after tomorrow. If you spend the rest of today being angry, you''ll regret itter."


    Silence ensued, but Damon knew Mason was listening.


    "Just open the door so we can talk, okay?" he urged.


    Damon didn''t push further, simply waiting.


    After a while, small footsteps approached, and finally, the door creaked open.


    Looking down, Damon saw Mason''s tear-streaked face. His eyes were red and puffy, making him look heartbreakingly pitiful.


    As soon as Mason saw Damon, his voice cracked. "Daddy... I don''t want Mommy to leave."


    Damon scooped him up and carried him downstairs, speaking softly.


    don''t want her to leave either, but


    she


    e said she has to go for


    Swork.


    "If you miss her, we can video call her anytime. And when we get the chance, I''ll


    take you to see her."


    "It''s not the same," Mason insisted.


    Damon nodded. "I know. But there''s nothing we can do."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!