<h4>Chapter 187: Forever and Always</h4>


    Cammy held Dn’s small hand in hers as they stepped out of Eve’s apartment, leaving Greg behind for now.


    Dn’s grip was tight, hesitant. His crutches tapped against the wooden floor, the only sound breaking the tense silence between mother and son. He hadn’t said a word since agreeing toe.


    His little face, usually filled with warmth and curiosity, was guarded—uncertain of what was toe.


    Duncan stood as soon as they entered Cammy’s apartment, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never been so nervous in his life, not even during his biggest business deals.


    But this wasn’t business—this was his son, his family, hisst chance to do something right.


    Cammy guided Dn to the couch and knelt before him. She took a deep breath, gathering her words.


    Duncan sat across from them, his hands sped tightly together as he waited.


    "Dn, sweetheart," Cammy began gently, stroking his hair. "Mommy and Daddy need to talk to you about something very important."


    Dn looked at her, then at Duncan, his small hands tightening around the fabric of his pants. "Is it about that woman?" he asked, his voice sharp, his pain still fresh.


    Cammy’s heart clenched, but she shook her head. "No, baby. This is about you, about us."


    Duncan leaned forward, his voice soft but firm. "Dn, your mommy and I... we are not going to live together anymore."


    "Remember, I told you about that when we were in the resort? Do you still remember?" Cammy asked, and Dn nodded.


    Cammy swallowed the lump in her throat. "It means that Mommy and Daddy won’t be husband and wife anymore."


    Dn’s breath hitched. His big, innocent eyes darted between them. "You don’t love each other anymore?"


    Duncan exhaled slowly, rubbing his palms against his jeans before reaching for Dn’s hand. The boy hesitated but didn’t pull away.


    "Dn, love is...plicated, different between husband and wife. It is not like the love that parents have for their children," Duncan admitted. "But what’s neverplicated is how much we love you. That will never change. Not ever."


    Cammy nodded, cupping Dn’s cheek, her thumb brushing away a tear before it could fall. "Sweetheart, this doesn’t mean we’re not a family anymore. We are. Always. You are the most important person in our lives, and we will both be here for you, no matter what."


    "But we won’t live in the same house ever?" Dn whispered, his voice quivering.


    Duncan shook his head. "No, buddy. But that doesn’t mean we won’t see each other. You’ll have two homes now. And whether you’re with Mommy or me, we’ll both be loving you every second of every day."


    Dn wiped his nose with the back of his hand. "Will you stille to my ser games?"


    Duncan smiled despite the ache in his chest. "Of course, buddy. I wouldn’t miss a single one."


    Dn turned to Cammy, searching her face. "And you?"


    Cammy kissed his forehead. "Always."


    "So, does it mean that the two of you can now have a new husband and a new wife?" he asked with a bit of confusion.


    Cammy nced at Duncan, who nodded at her. Giving her a go signal to tell him the truth.


    "Yes, baby. We can. Daddy can have a new woman in his life to take care of him. Just like how I take care of you. Do you want Daddy to be alone and sad in our old house?"


    Dn shook his head. "No, that house is big and he will be lonely if he is alone."


    "Exactly. So, the woman you saw with Daddy, she will take care of him. No need to be angry and hate him. We already talked about it, and Mommy is okay with it."


    "Who will take care of you?" Dn asked Cammy.


    "You will, silly," Cammy quipped, but Dn has a different suggestion in mind.


    "But once my cast is off, I’ll be back in the dormitory. Uncle Greg should be your husband."


    Duncan clenched his fist, not expecting Dn to say that.


    Silence filled the room for a moment. Then, Dn hupped and threw his arms around Cammy first, then—after a long hesitation—wrapped them around Duncan too.


    Duncan closed his eyes, holding his son close, feeling his little heartbeat against his chest.


    "I don’t want things to change," Dn murmured against his father’s shirt.


    "I know, sweetheart," Cammy whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "But no matter what changes, one thing stays the same—we love you more than anything in this world."


    Duncan kissed the top of his son’s head, his voice rough with emotion. "Forever and always, buddy."


    After nearly an hour spent with Dn, Duncan let out a weary sigh and stood up. "Dn, Daddy has to go now. I actually escaped from the hospital just so I could talk to you, but if I don’t go back soon, the doctors will have my head."


    Dn nodded solemnly. Though there was still pain in his eyes, it was no longer burning with anger. He took a deep breath and whispered, "Goodbye, Daddy."


    Duncan crouched to his son’s level and gently ruffled his hair. "Not goodbye, buddy. Just see youter, okay? No matter what happens, I will always love you."


    Cammy watched as Duncan left, his shoulders heavier than when he arrived. There was no victory in this moment—only exhaustion and the remnants of a love that had shattered beyond repair.


    As soon as Duncan was out of sight, Cammy took a deep breath and turned to Dn, smoothing his hair back. "Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get some lunch."


    She quickly invited Eve, Greg, and Cassey to join them. The apartment, which had felt like a battleground just moments ago, soon filled with the warmth of shared food andpany.


    "Gosh, that was intense!" Evemented, shaking her head. "So, how did it go?"


    "It was... fine," Cammy answered carefully. "The talk was about Dn, and that was all I wanted to focus on today. I didn’t bring up the conservatorship issue. I’ll talk to Duncan about thatter—with Grace there to back me up.


    The conversation earlier was already stressful enough, and I need to save my energy. Greg and I still have dinner with his fatherter."


    Greg, who had been quietly picking at his food, nced up. "We can skip that if you’re too drained. It’s no big deal."


    "No, Greg, it is a big deal." Cammy looked him straight in the eyes. "Didn’t you see the way your father reacted when he found out who my mother was? What if we’re rted?"


    Greg let out a shortugh, but Cammy and Eve didn’t join in.


    "There’s no way," Greg assured her. "If we were, I would know. More likely, my father and your parents were business rivals back in the day. That would exin his reaction. My dad holds grudges like trophies—it’s probably just that."


    Cammy wasn’t convinced. She pressed her lips together, her unease lingering like a dark cloud in the back of her mind. ’I don’t think it’s that simple. Something about this feels... off.’


    But she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud. Not yet.