CHAPTER 525. TO BELIEVE AGAIN. Hoping for the best

Milo sighed and forced a smile to reassure his mother. He left the hospital and went home to shower and change before going to see Niko—he didn’t want to scare him. Then he headed to Chiara’s apartment, and when he arrived, he found the little boy sitting in a chair, staring blankly with his arms crossed over his chest.

But the moment he saw Milo, that posture disappeared.

"Daddy!" Niko shouted, running toward him. Milo opened his arms, holding him tight until the boy’s fear faded.

Milo knew that, deep down, Niko harbored the fear of being abandoned. Not seeing his dad for hours had made him extra sensitive. He hugged Niko tightly, feeling the boy cling to him. They stayed like that for a long time until Milo finally pulled away to look him in the eyes.

"Hey, champ," he said. "You don’t have to be scared if Daddy’s not here. Don’t worry, I’ll never leave you, and I promise I’ll never stop loving you. Ever. I just had to be with Mommy