Evander’s POV
I decided to postpone my visit to those n. Damian was expecting in an hour, and there was sothing far more important that I couldn’t ignore— Eliam and I missed him so much.
He had been unusually quiet and frightened lately, and I didn’t want to leave him alone for too long.
He deserved the love and care he had been deprived of, and I was determined to give him all of it, even if I was still learning how to make him feel loved.
As soon as I walked through the door, Eliam ca running toward , his tiny feet padding against the floor. He was dressed in his Pikachu outfit, the hood slightly askew but adding to his cute charm.
"Daddy!" he called out, his face lighting up with joy. He stretched his little arms toward . "Up! I want to be up!"
A faint smile crossed my lips as I crouched down and scooped him up into my arms. His laughter filled the room, a sound so pure that it montarily eased the weight on my shoulders.
"Did you miss ?" I asked as my voice was softer than usual as I looked into his big and innocent eyes.
His response, however, both ward my heart and left with a bittersweet ache. "Yes, I missed you," he said, his tone full of childish honesty. "But I missed Mommy more than you!"
I chuckled lightly at his bluntness, even though his words stung a little. "Oh, really?" I teased, adjusting him in my arms as he clung tightly to my neck.
"Yes!" he said with a wide smile, his little fingers tugging at my collar. "Mommy gives better hugs than you!"
"Well, I will just have to practice, won’t I?" I replied, my heart was filled with warmth and love at the mont. I was seeing myself in Eliam, and I was ready to make my childhood better through him.
Eliam giggled, nuzzling his face into my shoulder. "You are funny, Daddy."
"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, though I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.
Eliam nodded frantically as his excitent bubbling over. "Yes!"
"Okay," I said with a chuckle, "I am glad I am funny to you." And I truly was. It wasn’t often that I felt like I could bring joy to soone’s life, even in such a small way. Sohow, it felt like a complint that I had never received from anyone till now.
I carried him over to the couch, settling him on my lap as his tiny hands clung to my shirt. "Did you eat sothing?" I asked, gently brushing the hair out of his eyes.
"Yes," he said with a little nod, but then his expression shifted, his bright deanor dimming a little. "But Eliam wants to see Mommy. I want to see her.
His big, starry eyes shimred with unshed tears, and it broke my heart to see how hard he was trying to hold them back, as if he thought he would disappoint by crying.
I pulled him into a firm hug, wrapping him in the warmth and reassurance I knew he needed. "If you want to cry, then cry," I whispered, my voice steady but soft. "No one will stop you, Eliam. It’s okay to cry." I patted his small back lightly, hoping to comfort him.
But his next words hit like a storm, leaving stunned.
"Bu... but then... then Daddy will hate ," he stamred, his little voice trembling. "And... and Granny will beat ... and... Mommy will leave !"
His sobs ca in choked gasps as he tried desperately to keep them in check, his small fra trembling in my arms. With every word he spoke, my heart broke a little more.
"Eliam, no," I said, my voice shaking with emotion as I held him closer. "Daddy could never hate you. Never." I kissed the top of his head, running my hand soothingly over his back. "And no one is going to hurt you ever again. Do you hear ? I promise."
He sniffled, clutching onto as if I were his lifeline. "But Mommy..."
"Mommy loves you so much," I reassured him, fighting to keep my voice calm despite the storm of emotions inside . "She will always love you, no matter what. And I am here too, Eliam. Always. You don’t have to be scared anymore."
For a mont, the room was silent except for the soft sound of his sobs and my heartbeat pounding in my chest. I didn’t know if I could undo the pain he had been through, but I would do everything in my power to make sure he never felt this kind of fear again.
"Daddy is here," I whispered again, holding him as tightly as I dared. "And I am not going anywhere."
I felt a sharp pang in my chest—a pain that mirrored his own. It was unbearable to see Eliam going through the sa things I had endured as a child. The echoes of my own past haunted , but this ti, I had a chance to make it right for him and, in so ways, for myself.
I hated that he had suffered, but I was grateful that I had co to my senses in ti to bring him back with . I wanted to heal him, to give him the love and security I never had. And maybe, through him, I could heal the broken pieces of my own childhood as well.
"Do you want to et Mommy?" I asked gently, pulling him away from my embrace so I could look into his tear-streaked face.
"Yes," he said with a small nod, his tiny hands moving to wipe the tears from his cheeks.
But I stopped him, taking his hands in mine. "No, Eliam," I said softly, shaking my head. "Don’t do that. Let’s wash your face and get changed first. We want you looking your best when you see Mommy, right?"
He sniffled and gave a small smile, his eyes still glistening. "Okay, Daddy."
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