He walked into the suite, fruit basket in hand.
Before he even crossed the threshold of the inner room, the warm sound of laughter washed over him. Winifred sounded happy and energetic. The surgery must have been a massive success.
As he stepped into the doorway, a pleasant surprise awaited him. Seth, the boy who usually sported a perpetual scowl, was beaming. Clutching a bag of cookies in one hand and holding a single cookie up high with the other, the little boy was marching directly toward the door on his short legs.
"Daddy!" Seth called out in his sweet, milky voice.
Quentin's heart leaped into his throat. "Hey, buddy!"
He immediately dropped to one knee, ready to welcome his son. This kind of affection was incredibly rare. Seth hadn't called him 'Daddy' in a long time. Ever since his disastrous birthday party, the boy had been cold, distant, and lately, openly resentful. To see this picture-perfect father-son moment felt like waking up in a beautiful dream.
"Daddy's right here," Quentin said, his eyes burning with unshed tears. "Seth, my good boy, you came right over to greet me."
He placed the fruit basket on the floor and opened his arms wide, his face breaking into a massive, tearful smile.
But through his squinting, emotional eyes, he watched the small silhouette march right past his open arms.
He didn't even brush Seth's sleeve.
Quentin's smile froze. He slowly turned his head to watch the boy's retreating back.
"Daddy, this is for you," Seth said, standing on his tiptoes and holding the little cookie up.
A tall man standing by the window with one hand casually tucked in his pocket turned around, a remarkably tender smile softening his sharp features.
"Thanks, buddy. You're too good to me."
The man leaned down, and Seth popped the cookie into his mouth.
"You're good to me too, Daddy. You're good to me and Mom."
"I think I might be the first person in history to get a compliment out of you. I'm honored."
"Daddy, can you pick me up?" Seth asked, raising his arms.
The man effortlessly scooped him up by the ribs, settling him securely against his chest before carrying him over to Winifred's bed.


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