Kyson set the fabric aside and crouched down in front of me before reaching out his hand. "Is your hand okay? Let me see."

I instinctively pulled back, and his hand missed.

He stared at me in shock. A strange mix of emotions swelled in the air between us.

"Dad?" Darryl's timid voice broke the silence.

I stood up and carried the barefoot Darryl to bed. "Go to sleep, Darryl."

He held my hand. Without asking anything, he just nodded and closed his eyes.

When Kyson walked in, his gaze was complicated. "I didn't mean it just now."

I gently patted Darryl through the blanket and hummed in acknowledgment.

Kyson paused, then sat beside me. His tough expression slowly softened. "I didn't mean Darryl can't wear nice clothes. He's just young and grows fast. There's no need to waste—"

My hand paused mid-air, and I couldn't help but cut him off. "You don't think buying moisturizing cream for Jodie is a waste?"

Kyson snapped up, like I hit a nerve. "Gisselle, you followed me? So, that's why you were acting all weird. Just for a jar of cream? A hick will always be a hick, always counting every penny."

I turned back, a cold scoff escaping my lips as I prepared to speak.

But out of the corner of my eye, I caught the slight tremble of Darryl's eyelashes.

He was pretending to sleep.

At that moment, all my anger and frustration popped like a burst balloon.

"Get out. I don't want to argue."

Kyson snorted coldly but held back his anger and left.

Leaning against the headboard, I swallowed the lump in my throat and softly hummed a lullaby.

…

In the next few days, Kyson didn't come home.

I enjoyed the quiet. Apart from buying things to take back to the village, I focused on making Darryl's clothes.

With three days left before I had to report for duty, I finally finished making the clothes.

Darryl lay on my lap, his eyes shining. "Mom, these clothes are really nice."

Smiling, I helped him up and said gently, "I'm glad you like them. You finally have new clothes of your own."

I spread out the new clothes and dressed him.

Darryl carefully touched the fabric and grinned, showing a canine tooth. "Mom, you're so good to me. I'll take good care of these."

Just as we were talking happily, Kyson suddenly came home with Jodie in tow.

When she saw us, her expression twisted oddly.

She stepped forward and linked her arm with Kyson's with a smile. "Kyson, who are they?"

Darryl grabbed my pants leg, looking at Kyson with hope.

But the man remained silent, and a look of hesitation clouded his face. "Relatives from the countryside."

Just four words, and all the light vanished from Darryl's eyes.

My heart ached seeing his disappointed face.

I was about to speak when Darryl interrupted, saying, "Hello, Mr. Hale."

Darryl forced a smile, but the raw redness of his eyes was agonizing to behold.

This little guy was painfully mature for his age.

"Mom, let's not bother Mr. Hale."

All my feelings choked up. I opened my mouth but could only say one word, "Okay."

Holding Darryl's hand, I turned to leave.

As we passed by, Kyson grabbed me. "Wait."

Apparently, Kyson wasn't satisfied with our sensible behavior. He looked at me in disbelief and asked, "What did Darryl just call me?"

I smiled, unusually compliant. "Mr. Hale. We country folk wouldn't dare try to claim a connection with you."

Kyson's gaze shifted a few times before settling on a flicker of guilt. "My friend is here for dinner today. Cook some extra dishes."

The casual words made Jodie's face freeze for a moment.

I was about to refuse when Kyson said, "Help me out today. I'll pay you for dinner tonight."

The refusal died on my lips, and I agreed.

Since I was leaving soon, having a little extra cash in my pocket wouldn't hurt.

After putting Darryl in his room, I went out to buy groceries.

When I came back, I heard a child crying in the yard. "Mom!"

My mind went blank. I kicked the door open and ran in. "Darryl! Darryl!"

He was lying on the ground, and his brand-new shirt was covered in dust.

Kyson bent down, about to pick him up.

Seeing me, Darryl turned his head with difficulty. His eyes burned red as he called out to me, "Mom."

It felt like a huge hand was crushing my heart. I could barely breathe.

I dropped the groceries, shoved Kyson aside, and crouched to lift Darryl. "Darryl, what happened? Don't scare me."

As he looked up, blood slowly trickled from his nose. "Mom, it hurts…"

Kyson frowned, his eyes swimming with concern, but he still tried to calm me. "Gisselle, don't panic. The steps aren't high. He'll be fine."

I looked up and glared at him. "What happened? How did Darryl fall?"

Kyson's lashes trembled, and his breathing grew heavy. "I-I accidentally bumped into him."

Jodie stood on the steps, looking down at us, but her voice sounded apologetic as she said, "I'm so sorry, Gisselle. I really didn't know he was behind me. I turned around and knocked into him by accident. Kyson, tell her I didn't do it on purpose."

I turned to Kyson and stared at him, as if trying to burn a hole through him.

Something in my gaze made his heart tighten. "Jodie…"

Jodie walked up and took his hand. "Kyson, you believe me, right?"

For the first time, Kyson frowned and didn't answer.

The yard fell into a strange silence.

"Mom, it hurts…"

Darryl's weak voice snapped me back to myself. I quickly gathered him into my arms and headed out.

"Gisselle, wait. I'll take you—"

"Kyson!" Jodie raised her voice, stopping him in his tracks.

Feeling the movement behind me, I walked away without hesitation.

Three days left before our departure. I couldn't wait any longer.

…

After the doctor finished examining Darryl, all my strength drained away.

Darryl, freshly bandaged, looked at me with red eyes. His first words were an apology. "Mom, I'm sorry. I got my new clothes dirty."

Pain stabbed my chest. Endless regret dissolved into tears that cascaded down my face.

"I'm sorry, Darryl. I'm so sorry. This is my fault. I shouldn't have gone out. It's all my fault."

Darryl forced a small smile through the pain and whispered, "Mom, I want to go home."

I nodded. "Okay. We're going home."

That night, the house was empty.

After checking with the doctor, I packed our things overnight and took Darryl to the train station early the next morning.

Passing by the hospital, I saw Kyson.

He was carrying a bag of fruit, hurrying toward the entrance like he was searching for someone.

A trace of mockery flickered in my eyes. I held Darryl tighter.

From now on, we would had nothing to do with Kyson.

Meanwhile, Kyson dragged an unwilling Jodie to the nurses' station. "Excuse me, I'm looking for a child named Darryl Hale."

The nurse frowned. "Darryl Hale? He was discharged last night. His mother said they were in a hurry to return to their hometown."

With a thud, the fruit hit the ground.

Kyson's expression froze. He spun around and bolted out of the hospital.