+25 TONUS


    My eyes were filled with unshed tears that would remain unshed, especially before Mark.


    Being vulnerable had be a normal around Mark, but everything had a limit.


    There was afortable long stretch of silence after I finished speaking. Mark reached out and gave my hand aforting squeeze. I appreciated it. I always appreciated his presence in my life. "So, what do you hope for when you see him?"


    eves again and most


    I smiled. My throat didn''t feel clogged again, I didn''t feel the pool of tears in my importantly, the trembling in my voice had stopped, "Naturally, I hope we can reconcile. If so, I wille back with Lucas, we''d spend some time here, packing up and tying loose ends then we''d take Aiden and go settle down in Italy."


    This time,I actually saw a glint of hurt sh in Mark''s eyes. "Ouch, Sydney. Ouch."


    "What?" Iughed and shrugged.


    "I must be honest. If you two reconcile, it would really hurt me."


    I can see that, I wanted to say but I didn''t.


    "Your reconciliation with him simply means that after I''ve bonded with Aiden, you''re going to cruelly take him away from me andpletely cut off our chance of reconciling. Even now, I already feel attached to the little champ."


    I


    "Then get yourself your own champ." I quickly continued, depriving him of the chance to say whatever was on his mind again. Which I was quite sure would run along the line, ''I want to have my champ with


    you.''


    "But if he doesn''t love me anymore and doesn''t want anything to do with me, I wille back alone, raise Aiden by myself, and never bother him again."Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    "Frankly?" He raised his perfectly arched eyebrows and I nodded. "I hope you fail."


    "Mark!" I eximed then I leaned forward and covered his mouth. "Shut up, you jinx!"


    Mark''s shoulders shook as heughed, unable to hold back hisughter. He raised his hands in the air in surrender after he had sobered up. "Okay, I will wish you a happy reunion," he said but I saw him cross his middle finger and index finger on hisp. I didn''t know if he had meant for me to see it or not, either way, I just smiled as I looked away and made noment about it.


    SIX MONTHS LATER


    I hugged Aiden to my chest and ced a kiss on his forehead for the umpteenth time. Strings pulled at my heart when he made his nabay noises again. I made to pull him into another hug when Grace''s hand reached for him.


    Grace gently took him from me. "We would really appreciate it if you don''t suffocate the poor boy with your excessive hugs and kisses." She ced him in his cot and turned to me with a soft smile.


    She gently hit me. on my forearm, before pulling me into a hug. "You will be fine," she whispered, "And you already know that Aiden is in good hands so rx."


    "I''m trying." I cried.


    Just then, my name was called through the airport''s loudspeaker, urging me to board the ne in three


    minutes.


    I let go


    of Grace and bent to hug Aiden again. I gave him a feathery kiss on his cheeks, "Mom will be back soon, I promise."


    With all the willpower I could summon, I reluctantly looked away from him.


    Grace, with red eyes, hugged me again. "You had bettere back safely, and remember to keep in touch with me every day."


    "Yes ma''am."


    "Good," she chipped up her chin and I shook my head as I smiled and moved over to Mark.


    He handed me my handbag, he had held it for me when I wanted to hold Aiden in my arm.


    I took it from him then he opened his arm, a smile on his lips. "So, does an ex-husband not deserve a hug?


    He asked casually, but I could see that he really wanted a hug.


    Iughed and went into his arms. It was actually the first peaceful and friendly hug since we knew each other. Our past hugs were either faked, forced or reluctant but this one? We both wanted it.


    I cleared my throat when Mark wouldn''t let go after about ten seconds. I broke free from him and lightly punched him on his chest. "You''ve already dyed me for too long, Mr Torres."


    I had nned to leave for Italy after three months but Mark wouldn''t let me. He insisted that I stay and undergo the three months of emergency self-defense and shooting training that he booked for me. At first, I had thought he was joking until he got all serious.


    "Call me if there is any emergency," he said hoarsely.


    "Then what?" I teased, "You''d fly to Italy?"


    "You can never tell," he smirked.


    I gave him onest smile, my gaze falling on each of them. I steeled my heart and turned to walk towards the boarding gate when my name was called out again,