chapter 12

As I stepped into the familiar warmth of my mother's home, the weight of Damian's sacrifice settled heavy on my heart. Liam's innocent face, etched with worry, greeted me, and his tiny voice pierced the air. "Mommy, Mommy! I thought you were coming with Daddy!" he wailed, his small body shaking with sobs.

My mother tried to comfort him, but Liam pushed her away, his eyes fixed on me with a mix of confusion and accusation. "Granny said you were coming with Daddy! Why didn't you?" he demanded, his lower lip trembling. I knelt beside him, feeling the sting of tears as I enveloped him in a warm embrace. "I'm sorry, baby. I couldn't go with Daddy this time," I whispered, trying to soothe his tears away.