Chapter 96

"Daddy's home, Buddy!"

The words spilled from my mouth with excitement I couldn’t contain as I stepped into the living room, only to find Mike already cradling Christopher in his arms.

The sight of them together was enough to melt my heart. Christopher, so small and fragile, seemed to sense Mike’s presence the moment he walked through the door, and now his tiny hand clung to Mike’s shirt, his bright eyes wide with curiosity.

Mike looked up at me, his face softened with a quiet joy that made my heart flutter.

"I think he knows I’m back," he said, his voice filled with wonder.

I laughed softly, setting my purse aside. "Of course he does. There’s no way he could miss you."

I watched them for a moment, unable to look away. There was something so natural, so effortless, about the way Mike held Christopher. It was as if they were two halves of the same heartbeat, already so attuned to each other that even a few days apart felt too long.

I didn’t want to interrupt, so I slipped into the k