Trading My Ex for His Uncle (Nyla and Damon) novel Chapter 1197

Damon paused mid-step and turned back to look at Nyla. "Alright."

Seeing him walking toward her again, clearly about to pick her up, she quickly stopped him. "No need, I can walk on my own."

Afraid he'd insist on carrying her anyway, she immediately stood and hurried toward the stairs, taking the long way around the couch.

Watching her flee, Damon couldn't help but smirk. But as the smile lingered, a shadow of sadness darkened his gaze.

Unaware of his emotions, Nyla quickly returned to the bedroom.

Mason was already awake, sitting on the bed, groggily rubbing his eyes.

When he saw her, he asked in a soft, sleepy voice, "Mommy, when did you carry me here?"

His messy bedhead and drowsy little face were so adorable that Nyla couldn't resist reaching out to pinch his cheek. "After you fell asleep last night. Now that you're up, go back to your room and change, okay?"

Mason nodded and was about to climb out of bed when he suddenly noticed something. "Mommy, I can't find my slippers."

Nyla glanced around and realized that when Damon had carried Mason over last night, they hadn't brought his slippers along.

"I'll carry you back to your room, alright?" she offered.

"Okay! Thank you, Mommy!" Mason cheered.

As Nyla picked him up, he wrapped his little arms around her neck and kissed her on the cheek. "Mommy, you've been so nice to me these past few days."

Ever since he'd turned three, Nyla hadn't let him sleep in the same bed with her.

Nyla's steps slowed as she asked, "When have I ever not been nice to you?"

"You're always nice to me, Mommy, but lately, you've been extra nice," Mason elaborated.

He looked up from his book. "What is it, Mommy?"

Nyla hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Mommy has to go somewhere far away in a couple of days, and we won't be able to see each other for a long time. While I'm gone, you have to listen to Daddy and be good, okay?"

The book in Mason's hands dropped to the floor. Tears welled up in his big, round eyes.

"Mommy... are you going to die? I don't want you to die!" Crying, he threw himself into Nyla's arms, clung to her, and refused to let go.

Nyla's heart ached, but his misunderstanding made her laugh despite herself.

She gently wiped his tears and clarified, "Mommy's just going somewhere far away, and we might not be able to see each other for a few years. But we can still talk on the phone, okay?"

"I don't believe you..." Mason sobbed harder. "There's a kid in my class whose dad passed away. Before he died, he also said he was going somewhere far away... Mommy, I don't want you to die!"

Seeing him cry so hard he could barely breathe, Nyla tried to console him. "That's not the same, sweetie. Didn't I just say? We can still call and video chat.