?


    "Do you want that kind of mom then?" Gabriel asked.


    "Of course I want one like that! I wish Mommy could y with me,e to my school events, and cuddle with me at night while I sleep..." Wilhelm went on, not noticing the growing seriousness in Gabriel''s gaze.


    Gabriel finally smiled and started the car, assuring Wilhelm, "Don''t worry. I''ll make sure you have the kind of mom you dream of."


    Wilhelm''s eyes lit up, but a hint of disappointment crept into his expression as he murmured, "But... Mommy is really busy and hardly has time for me..."


    "She''ll have time," Gabriel promised.


    "Really?" Wilhelm asked, his tone hopeful.


    Gabriel chuckled. "When have I ever lied to you?"


    Wilhelm''s face brightened with excitement as he looked at Gabriel. "Daddy, when will Mommy have time to y with me then?"


    "Soon," Gabriel replied and stared ahead as his grip on the steering wheel tightened. His knuckles turned pale while his gaze darkened.


    ...


    Time flew, and soon Saturday arrived.


    Damon had asked Spencer to prepare everything for their hike on Friday afternoon, so after breakfast, he set off right away with N and Mason to hike in a nearby city.


    Since there were no mountains in the center of Saintornia, they headed to one that stood a few hundred meters high in Tempornia.


    After parking at the foot of the mountain, Damon opened the trunk and pulled out two backpacks-onerge and one small.


    He slung therger one over his shoulder and handed the smaller one to Mason. "This is your bag, filled with snacks and water. You''ll carry it while we hike. If it gets too heavy, I''ll help you."


    Mason put the backpack on right away, looking up at Damon with confidence. "Daddy, I''m a man too. I can handle it!"


    Damon couldn''t help but smile. "Okay, I believe you."


    They had chosen a mountain called


    Mount Trifall, which usually had a


    fair number of local visitors.


    However, with the light drizzle today, they were the only ones there.


    N had never taken Mason hiking before, so he was excited and curious about everything around him.


    Watching him hop ahead, N


    reminded him to slow down and be


    careful. The trails were equipped


    l


    with handrails to ensure visitor. safety, so she wasn''t worried about him falling-just that he might trip.


    UMS


    Damon walked beside N, smiling as he said, "Don''t worry too much Buddy is already five. We rarely get time alone with him, so let''s enjoy this hike together."


    As he spoke, he took her hand.


    His hand was warm and dry, enveloping herspletely.


    The warmth radiated from their touch and sent a wave of heat straight to her heart, leaving her feeling tingly all over.


    N tried to pull her hand away, but Damon held on tightly.


    "Hold on to me so you don''t fallter," he teased.


    "I won''t fall, I—" Before N could finish, she stepped on a rock and stumbled sideways.


    In an instant, Damon pulled her into his arms, her face colliding with his chest. It was so firm!


    N felt a sharp pain in her nose, and tears sprang to her eyes.


    Rubbing her sore nose, she huffed. "Is your chest made of bricks? Why is it so hard?"


    Damon chuckled. "I have an even harder spot. Want to try?"


    N froze, and her hand stoped mid-rub, her face and ears turning a deep shade of red.