Lorian was still too young to understand what was going on in the adult’s lives.

He was simply excited to see his father. He grinned from ear to ear, revealing his white teeth. He looked so adorable. He even stuck out his short hands, held Noah’s neck tightly, and said affectionately, “I missed you, Daddy.”

Noah felt a lump in his throat.

Pressing his forehead against Lorian’s, he murmured, “Oh, my silly boy.”

Picking up Lorian’s bicycle in one hand, he carried his son in another and walked toward the house. He hadn’t walked for a few more steps before he looked at her and asked gently, “Aren't you coming?”

Gwynn stood beneath the elm trees.

Sunlight shone through the cracks in the leaves and fell on her, but it was doing nothing to warm her heart.

If Lorian wasn’t here, she probably would’ve lost her cool and questioned him. Why wouldn’t he let her go? Why would he hunt her to the ends of the earth?

He was the one who said he’d set her free.

However, he had Lorian within