Chapter 477

"Then, I'll forgive you," Casper chirped, his eyes shining with childish innocence.

He paused, his gaze falling on the bandage peeking out from beneath Mercer's shirt. "Daddy, what happened to your shoulder?"

Mercer resorted to fabricating a story. "Oh, it's nothing," he said. "I ran into a crazy lady."

Casper blinked at him. "A crazy lady hurt you? Why didn't you call the police?"

Mercer scrambled for an excuse. "Well, you see," he began. "The crazy lady had a sweet little girl waiting for her at home. And if Daddy called the police, the little girl wouldn't have a mommy anymore."

Casper considered this for a moment and nodded. "You did the right thing, Daddy."

Then, he tugged at Mercer's leg and said, "Daddy, you promised you'd bring Mommy back today."

Mercer's face fell as he listened. He gently stroked Casper's head, trying to calm him. "Mommy has to take care of your sister for a few more days. She'll come see you soon, I promise."

As he said this, Casper pouted. "Mommy