?


    As time passed, more and more people filled the amusement park.


    N held Mason''s hand tightly, preventing him from running around too much and avoiding collisions with others or the risk of getting knocked over. Suddenly, Mason pointed excitedly at a ride not far away. "Mommy! I want to ride that!"


    Following Mason''s gaze, N felt troubled. He wanted to go on the swinging pendulum ride, but she had never liked high-altitude attractions.


    She turned to Damon and said, "Mr. Sumner, I''m not really a fan of high-


    altitude rides. Why don''t you take Buddy on that one? I think there''s a version for kids."


    Damon stared at her, speechless.


    Before he could respond, Mason dashed in front of him, hugging his leg and shaking it. "Daddy! I want to ride it! Please! Jasper said his dad took him


    Seeing the eager look in Mason''s eyes, Damon had no choice but to nod. "Fine, but I can only go once with you."


    "Great! Thanks, Daddy!" Mason eximed, grabbing Damon''s hand and dragging him toward the ride,pletely oblivious to his father''s less-than- pleased expression.


    Noticing Damon''s difort, N spoke up. “Mr. Sumner, if you''re scared, you can always say no.”


    Damon stiffened before replying in a low voice, "Who says I''m scared? I just don''t like these boring rides."


    Earlier, Mason had mentioned how his friend''s father took him


    on the ride multiple times. If Damon refused, how could he maintain his image as a good father in Mason''s eyes? He needed to go on the ride!


    Seeing through Damon''s stubbornness, N decided not to press further.


    During the ten-minute wait in line, Damon maintained a calm demeanor, showing no signs of emotion.


    When it was finally their turn, Mason insisted that N take lots of pictures.


    Looking at Mason''s excited face and Damon''s expression of resignation, N held back augh. “Okay. I promise to take plenty of photos."


    The pendulum ride that Mason could go on was a smaller version, nowhere near the nearly 180-degree spins of therger one.


    However, when Damon got off, he looked pale, and his legs trembled slightly.


    To maintain the image of a strong father in front of Mason, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to appear calm.


    N handed him a bottle of cold water. "Are you okay?"


    Damon took a sip, finally managing


    to


    sss the nausea that had


    in his stomach. "I''m fine,


    N let out a sigh of relief, noting that although he still looked a bit pale, he otherwise seemed alright.


    11


    That''s good to hear."


    Mason, still eager for more fun, turned to Damon. "Daddy, I want to go again!"


    Damon was at a loss for words.


    Noticing the tension in his forehead, N quickly intervened, "No more Remember? Daddy only agreed to take you once, and there are still so many other rides to enjoy. We can''t spend all day here."


    Mason felt a pang of disappointment but didn''t push for another ride.


    "You used to say the carousel was your favorite! Mommy will take you to ride that, okay?" N suggested.


    Just as Mason was about to respond, a sudden rush of people surged toward them, pushing him and N forward.


    N instinctively pulled Mason into


    her arms to protect him, but she lost


    her bnce and began to fall. Just as she was about to hit the ground, a strong hand caught her waist steadying her before she could


    swne


    fall.