Katherine arrived at the penthouse with her heart pounding in her chest. Her steps were brisk, her palms damp, and worry painted itself across her face in sharp strokes. Mason had been unreachable for days now. She had even gone to the gym where he worked as an instructor, a place he never missed, but he wasn't there. Each unanswered call, each dead end, had only tightened the knot in her chest.
The moment she stepped inside, however, a voice pulled her back to the present.
"Mama!!"
Her son's delighted cry rang out, breaking through her fear like sunlight piercing through storm clouds. Jacob rushed toward her, and instantly, Katherine's features softened. Her worried expression melted into a radiant smile, one so genuine it lit her entire face.
"I missed you so much," Jacob said, his little arms outstretched.
