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.