Eliza forced a polite but distant smile. "No need, Mr. Casper. I appreciate the gesture, but you should head back to Falconridge. Safe travels."
Casper nodded slightly, his gaze shifting meaningfully towards Dillon. "Dillon."
Dillon stepped forward, immediately understanding. "Mr. Casper, what do you need?"
"Give Ms. Valerie some money. She's taken care of me for so long, and being a single mom isn't easy."
Dillon was speechless. Had Mr. Casper really forgotten everything?
"No need, let's call it even," Eliza declined his offer and returned to her room with Brock.
Casper's brow furrowed as he stared at the door, confusion in his voice. "Did I know her before?"
"This..." Dillon hesitated, unsure if Casper genuinely couldn't remember. Was it temporary amnesia? Or was he pretending? Dillon didn't dare say more.
Surrounded by his entourage, Casper descended the stairs. As he was about to get into the car, he looked up at the second-floor window...
Brock was leaning on the windowsill, waving at him. Something caught in Casper's chest, making him feel inexplicably uncomfortable.
"Mr. Casper, please get in the car," Dillon urged.
Casper got into the car, watching Brock as they drove away. Brock's eyes filled with tears as he buried himself in Eliza's embrace. "Mom, does Mr. Casper not want us anymore?"
"Mr. Casper... has his own life."
"Does that mean I'll never see Mr. Casper again?" The little guy was clearly struggling, tears brimming.
Eliza thought they probably wouldn't see each other again. He had lost his memory and forgotten everything about her. Their paths were not meant to cross again. She could continue to live in this small town with Brock, which was still the best outcome.
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