N nodded. "I only just found out a few days ago."


    Alexander grinned. "That''s amazing-double the good news!"


    He turned to Damon. "You''d better take good care of her when you''re back. Otherwise, you''ll have me to answer to."


    He was definitely going to visit them when the baby was born.


    "I will. I promise," Damon replied.


    ...


    The next morning, they boarded the ne home.


    After a long flight, they finallynded safely in Saintornia.


    As soon as they got off the ne, the first thing N wanted to do was see Mason.


    When they arrived at the vi, simply standing at the front door made her eyes well up with tears.


    Damon steadied her and spoke gently. "N, you''re pregnant now. You shouldn''t get too emotional."


    She wiped her tears. "I know... I just missed Buddy so much."


    "Let''s go inside first," Damon said.


    The moment they stepped into the living room, they saw Mason sitting on the couch, watching TV with a nk expression.


    N stared at him, afraid it was all just a dream. A dream where she''d wake up back at Emerald''s estate, trapped again with no way out.


    Finally, she carefully called his name, "Mason..."


    Mason''s head snapped around. Seeing her and Damon, he froze for a moment before scrambling off the couch and running toward them. "Daddy! Mommy!"


    N crouched down and caught him in her arms, holding him tightly. It wasn''t until she felt his small, warm body that she truly believed she was home.


    She choked up. "Buddy, I''m so sorry. You must''ve been so scared while I was gone."


    Mason sniffled and wiped his eyes. "I wasn''t scared. Daddy told me you left because of me, so I had to grow up fast. That way, I can protect you next time instead of you profecting me"


    N''s heart shattered.


    She felt a deep ache for her son, but at the same time, she couldn''t help but re at Damon for putting such thoughts in his head.


    Damon rubbed his nose sheepishly. "It''s good for kids to develop resilience early."


    "You and I are going to have a talkter," she said firmly.


    ...


    After finally settling Mason down, N marched into Damon''s study, ready to hold him ountable.


    Seeing her stern expression, Damon


    immediately put down his


    documents and got up to pacify her.


    "N, don''t be mad I know I messed up. I promise won''t ever tell him things like that again. Can you forgive me this time?"


    She pushed his hands away, clearly still upset. "Stay away from me! Your usual


    tricks won''t work this time!"


    "Then what will work?" Damon asked.


    "Stop joking around. Before I left, I


    specifically told you not to talk to Buddy about this But you did i anyway. Do you realize how much unnecessary worry and fear?ou put in his little heart?" N demanded.


    Under her sharp gaze, Damon looked like a guilty child caught misbehaving. He didn''t even dare to meet her eyes.


    "N, I''m sorry. I wanted to go to Meristate to find you, but I was afraid Buddy would feel abandoned if we both left. So I told him the truth.


    "I swear, I''ll never do it again. Please don''t be mad... Seeing you upset makes me panic," he pleaded.


    Watching him try so hard to make amends, N felt thest bit of her anger melt away.