Chapter 3

Kyson set the fabric aside and crouched down in front of me before reaching out his hand. "Is your hand okay? Let me see."

I instinctively pulled back, and his hand missed.

He stared at me in shock. A strange mix of emotions swelled in the air between us.

"Dad?" Darryl's timid voice broke the silence.

I stood up and carried the barefoot Darryl to bed. "Go to sleep, Darryl."

He held my hand. Without asking anything, he just nodded and closed his eyes.

When Kyson walked in, his gaze was complicated. "I didn't mean it just now."

I gently patted Darryl through the blanket and hummed in acknowledgment.

Kyson paused, then sat beside me. His tough expression slowly softened. "I didn't mean Darryl can't wear nice clothes. He's just young and grows fast. There's no need to waste—"

My hand paused mid-air, and I couldn't help but cut him off. "You don't think buying moisturizing cream for Jodie is a waste?"

Kyson snapped up, like I hit a nerve. "Gisselle, you followed me? So, that's why you were acting all weird. Just for a jar of cream? A hick will always be a hick, always counting every penny."

I turned back, a cold scoff escaping my lips as I prepared to speak.

But out of the corner of my eye, I caught the slight tremble of Darryl's eyelashes.

He was pretending to sleep.

At that moment, all my anger and frustration popped like a burst balloon.

"Get out. I don't want to argue."

Kyson snorted coldly but held back his anger and left.

Leaning against the headboard, I swallowed the lump in my throat and softly hummed a lullaby.

…

In the next few days, Kyson didn't come home.

I enjoyed the quiet. Apart from buying things to take back to the village, I focused on making Darryl's clothes.

With three days left before I had to report for duty, I finally finished making the clothes.

Darryl lay on my lap, his eyes shining. "Mom, these clothes are really nice."

Smiling, I helped him up and said gently, "I'm glad you like them. You finally have new clothes of your own."

I spread out the new clothes and dressed him.

Darryl carefully touched the fabric and grinned, showing a canine tooth. "Mom, you're so good to me. I'll take good care of these."

Just as we were talking happily, Kyson suddenly came home with Jodie in tow.

When she saw us, her expression twisted oddly.

She stepped forward and linked her arm with Kyson's with a smile. "Kyson, who are they?"

Darryl grabbed my pants leg, looking at Kyson with hope.

But the man remained silent, and a look of hesitation clouded his face. "Relatives from the countryside."

Just four words, and all the light vanished from Darryl's eyes.

My heart ached seeing his disappointed face.

I was about to speak when Darryl interrupted, saying, "Hello, Mr. Hale."

Darryl forced a smile, but the raw redness of his eyes was agonizing to behold.

This little guy was painfully mature for his age.

"Mom, let's not bother Mr. Hale."

All my feelings choked up. I opened my mouth but could only say one word, "Okay."

Holding Darryl's hand, I turned to leave.

As we passed by, Kyson grabbed me. "Wait."

Apparently, Kyson wasn't satisfied with our sensible behavior. He looked at me in disbelief and asked, "What did Darryl just call me?"

I smiled, unusually compliant. "Mr. Hale. We country folk wouldn't dare try to claim a connection with you."

Kyson's gaze shifted a few times before settling on a flicker of guilt. "My friend is here for dinner today. Cook some extra dishes."

The casual words made Jodie's face freeze for a moment.