Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The question lingered in my mind, pulling me deeper into thought, until an announcement echoed through the lounge. Conversations stilled. Even the soft clinking of cups faded as everyone listened for the final call of boarding passengers.

“That’s my flight.”

The man stood promptly, smoothing his clothes with practiced ease.

“Nice talking to you, young man,” he said, extending his hand toward Kai.

Kai immediately stood and accepted the handshake with both seriousness and pride, as if he’d been waiting his whole life for such a moment.

The man chuckled.

“Such an adorable child you have, Madame,” he said, turning to me with a warm smile and a polite bow.

“He’s a smart boy,” I replied, unable to hide the pride in my voice.

“Yes,” he agreed readily.

“Indeed, he is.” He turned back to Kai and ruffled his hair gently.

“I’ll be going now, young man. Thank you for sharing your seat with me.”

“Wewcome,” Kai replied, waving enthusiastically when the man glanced back one last time.

I watched as he walked away, his figure gradually swallowed by the crowd near the boarding gate- until he disappeared beyond the door.

And then something struck me.

It was only when he had turned back that I noticed it–something subtle, something I hadn’t seen before.

“He looks a little like you, pumpkin,” I murmured without thinking.

“We aww both handthsome,” Kai said proudly, flashing me an innocent grin.

I laughed softly.

“Yes,” I said, nodding as my gaze drifted once more toward the door, even though I knew the man was long gone. “You’re both very

handsome.”

Yet the thought lingered far longer than it should have.

“Mom…”

The sound of Cassie’s voice–strained, almost brittle—pulled me out of my thoughts.

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I turned and immediately froze at the sight of her pallid face.

“Cassie… what happened?” I asked, hurrying toward her.

“Mama!”

Kai’s excited call made us both turn. The moment Cassie saw him, whatever restraint she had left shattered.

“Baby… come here,” she said, scooping him into her arms as if she were afraid he might disappear if she didn’t hold him tight enough.

I frowned, unsettled by the way her hands trembled.

“What happened, Cassie?” I asked again, confusion knotting in my chest.

“Ahm…” She swallowed hard, her gaze darting toward the lounge entrance before she cleared her throat. “Nothing. I just-”

“The man thsed I am adowable and smawht, Mama,” Kai chimed in proudly, cupping her face so she would look at him.

Cassie stiffened. Her eyes snapped to mine–sharp, searching, almost accusatory.

“There was a man waiting for his boarding time,” I explained quickly, forcing a reassuring smile. “He asked to share our seat, talked with Kai a bit. He found him adorable and smart, that’s all.”

I chose my words carefully. Cassie had always been fiercely protective of her son, and the last thing

I wanted was to alarm her over what had been a harmless, brief interaction.

“He was polite. Respectable,” I added gently.

“Thsir ith nithce,” Kai said, nodding earnestly as if that settled everything.

Cassie didn’t smile.

Instead, she brushed Kai’s hair back and held his face with her free hand. “Don’t talk to strangers next time, my little prince. No matter how nice they seem.”

Kai’s shoulders drooped slightly, and something inside me twisted at the sight. He knew what the stern tone of his mother meant.

“Kai was with me, Cassie,” I said firmly but calmly. “I wouldn’t let him get close to anyone if I thought he was in danger. And the man truly seemed decent.”

She listened, but the tension seemed to have not left her body.

“Even so, Mom,” Cassie said quietly, her voice controlled yet tight. “I don’t want Kai interacting with just anyone–especially strangers. I hope this won’t happen again.”

Her gaze locked onto mine, and beneath her calm tone, I felt the depth of her distress.

“Okay, Cassie,” I said softly, nodding to appease her. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

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She relaxed only slightly, tightening her hold on Kai as if shielding him from the entire world. Cassie’s overprotectiveness wasn’t new to me–but the panic she’d tried so hard to conceal this time was.

That unease lingered long after the moment passed, settling deep in my chest and stirring a quiet curiosity I couldn’t ignore.

My gaze drifted back to the door, half–expecting to see the man again the one who bore an uncanny resemblance to my grandson. When I turned to Cassie, I realized she was staring at the same place.

But while I felt only quiet unease, fear was written clearly in her eyes.

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Chapter 27