[4 Years Later]

The years passed quickly, and before they knew it, Jungkook and Y/n were nine years old. The trio—Jungkook, Y/n, and Hyunsik—had grown up together, their friendship solidified through countless shared moments and adventures.

However, even after all this time, Jungkook still had a subtle need to outshine Hyunsik in everything they did.

One sunny afternoon, the three of them were playing in the garden, their laughter filling the air as they engaged in a friendly game of tag.

Jungkook was determined to win, his competitive spirit driving him to run faster and push harder than the other two. He managed to tag Hyunsik out, a triumphant grin on his face as he declared himself the winner.

Hyunsik, ever the good sport, simply rolled his eyes and plopped down on the grass. “You always have to win, don’t you?” he teased, though there was no malice in his tone.

Jungkook smirked, taking a seat beside him. “Well, someone has to be the best,” he replied, his tone playful but still carrying that hint of arrogance.

Y/n, who had been watching them, couldn’t help but shake her head. “You two are always competing,” she said with a sigh, though there was a smile on her face.

As the breeze picked up, Hyunsik lay down on the grass, letting out a contented sigh as he closed his eyes.

“I’m going to take a nap,” he announced, his voice already drowsy. “This breeze feels too good to pass up.”

Y/n nodded in agreement, feeling the warmth of the sun and the gentle rustling of the leaves lulling her into a sleepy state as well.

She lay down beside Hyunsik, but as she did, her head naturally found its way to Jungkook’s lap. She closed her eyes, a small, peaceful smile on her lips as she started to drift off.

Jungkook froze for a moment, surprised by the sudden weight of her head on his lap. But then, a soft smile spread across his face.

He looked down at Y/n, her hair tousled by the breeze, and gently began to caress her hair.

The strands were soft between his fingers, and he couldn’t help but feel a swell of affection for her.

He reached out tentatively, his fingers brushing lightly through her hair, caressing the soft strands as they fell over her face.

The sensation of her hair between his fingers was soothing, almost as if it grounded him, reminded him that she was real, that they were here together, just as they always had been.

As he continued to gently stroke her hair, he whispered to her sleeping form, "We’ve grown up together, haven’t we, little one?" His voice was soft, filled with affection and nostalgia.

"It feels like just yesterday we were kids, fighting over ice creams, and now... Look at us."

His mind drifted back to his younger years, to the times when even the smallest inconvenience would send him running to his grandmother.

She had always been his safe place, the one who made everything better with just a word. But now, as he looked at Y/n, he realized how much he had changed, how much he had learned to be grounded and humble.

He glanced over at Hyunsik, who was already fast asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Jungkook’s smile turned into a smirk as he shook his head.

Hyunsik could fall asleep anywhere, at any time—one of his many enviable talents.

Hyunsik was still a bit of a nuisance, sure, but Jungkook had come to accept him as a part of their little world.

“Just because you’re my best friend I handle him, little one,” he murmured, his eyes returning to Y/n. He smiled at the thought, knowing that no matter how much time passed, she would always be his little one.

Just then, Y/n stirred slightly, and to Jungkook's surprise, one of her eyes peeked open, locking onto his. She had caught him in the act, and he froze for a moment, his hand still tangled in her hair.

"What are you doing, Jungkook?" she asked, her voice groggy but laced with curiosity.

Jungkook’s face turned a bright shade of red as he quickly pulled his hand back, stammering out an excuse. "I-I wasn’t doing anything! I was just... I mean... You had a leaf in your hair! Yeah, that’s it!"

Y/n giggled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she sat up slightly, propping herself on her elbows. "Sure, Kookie," she teased, using the nickname she knew would make him blush even more.

Jungkook tried to regain his composure, and after a moment of silence, he spoke again, this time more serious. "You know... My grandma was the only one who ever really loved me a lot."

Y/n raised an eyebrow at his sudden shift in tone. "You mean spoiled you?" she said, her voice light, trying to keep the mood from getting too heavy.

Jungkook shot her a side-eye, but there was no real malice behind it. "Maybe," he admitted, "but it wasn’t just about spoiling. I didn’t really understand it before, but now I get it. I was too privileged, you know? I had everything handed to me, but... I’ve realized that not everyone is as lucky as I am."

He sighed, his gaze dropping to the grass beneath them. "Being privileged doesn’t come alone, though. There’s always a cost."

Y/n tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

Jungkook hesitated for a moment before speaking. "The cost is that I can’t be with my dad and grandma. I ask my grandma to let me talk to my dad, but every time, she says he’s busy. Busy with work, busy with... something. I don’t even know. And when I ask my mom, she gets teary-eyed, and I just can’t bring myself to ask her again."

He paused, his voice growing softer, almost as if he were speaking to himself more than to Y/n. "I’ve developed this habit of being entitled, thinking I should have everything I want. But... I’ve started to realize that I should be grateful for the little things in my life. Like you."

Y/n huffed, pretending to be offended. "I’m not little!"

Jungkook chuckled, his earlier melancholy dissipating as he looked at her with fondness. "You’ll always be my little one," he said softly. "Even when you become my wifey."

Y/n blinked in surprise. "Wifey? What do you mean?"

Jungkook smiled, his expression innocent yet sincere. "Like how your Amma is your Appa’s wife. They stay together, right? We’ll always stay together too, not like my Amma and Appa."

Y/n thought about it for a moment before asking, "But why wifey?"

Jungkook’s face lit up as he tried to explain, his understanding of marriage filtered through the lens of fairytales and stories he’d heard.

"Wifey and husband are what people become when they want to live together forever. Like in every fairytale, the prince and the princess always get married and promise to stay together forever. Isn’t that how it works?"

Y/n tilted her head, considering his words. "So... you want to stay with me forever?"

Jungkook grinned, playfully tapping her nose. "Of course, you silly dummy. Who else would I want to be with? Nobody shares their chocolates like you do."

Y/n giggled, the sound light and carefree. "But Hyunsik shares his chocolates too."

Jungkook shook his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Nope. Even if Hyunsik shares, he always keeps one chocolate for himself and gives the other one to his friends. But you… You give me everything without even thinking about yourself."

He reached into his pocket, feeling the familiar crinkle of the Dairy Milk wrapper he had kept for years.

The memory of that day flashed in his mind—Y/n handing over all her chocolates without hesitation, just to see him happy. He didn’t pull the wrapper out, but just the feel of it made him smile.

“You remember that day four years ago when you gave me all your Dairy Milks?” Jungkook asked, his voice soft. “You didn’t keep even a single one for yourself.”

Y/n nodded, her expression a mix of pride and nostalgia. “I wanted you to have them. You looked like you needed them more than I did.”

Jungkook’s heart swelled at her words. He leaned in a little closer, his voice almost a whisper. “You always give me everything, little one. Without me asking, without thinking about yourself. But you also stop me if I go too far, like when I eat too much chocolate and you tell me I’ll get cavities.”

A small, wistful smile played on his lips.

If only he knew that instead of chocolates, what she was really giving him was love.

That’s what selfless love means, doesn’t it?

To give without expecting anything in return.

To put someone else before yourself.

He didn’t fully understand the depth of what he was saying. All he knew was that he wanted Y/n by his side, forever.

With a determined look, he extended his pinky finger toward her. He had never believed in pinky promises—they always seemed so childish and meaningless. But this time, it felt different.

This time, it felt like the most important promise he could ever make.

“Promise me,” Jungkook said, his voice shaking slightly, “that you’ll be my wifey when we grow up.”

Y/n’s eyes widened in surprise, but there was a bubbly excitement in her expression as she linked her pinky finger with his.

She didn’t fully grasp the gravity of the promise either, but she knew it made Jungkook happy, and that was enough for her.

Jungkook beamed at the simple yet profound connection of their pinkies.

That one small link, that one innocent promise, held the power to shape their futures in ways they couldn’t yet imagine.

Suddenly, with a burst of impulsive energy, Jungkook leaned in and pressed a quick, chaste peck on Y/n’s forehead.

The moment their skin touched, his cheeks turned bright red, and he immediately pulled back, his eyes wide with embarrassment.

“What? I-I saw them do it in movies with their wifeys,” Jungkook stammered, trying to justify his actions. “You’re my wifey too, right?”

Y/n giggled at his flustered expression, her laughter light and infectious. She fell back into his lap, looking up at him with playful pouty faces, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Jungkook, still blushing, couldn’t help but smile down at her. He resumed gently caressing her hair, his earlier embarrassment fading away as he basked in the comfort of her presence.

[4 years later]

Jungkook was sitting on the plush green grass in the backyard, his eyes shining with excitement as he rambled on about the latest science concepts he’d learned from the tenth-grade textbooks, while being a 13 year old in 8th grade.

"Did you know, Y/n, that the force of gravity is what keeps us grounded? And black holes... they're like giant vacuums in space, swallowing everything around them!"

But Y/n wasn't paying much attention. She was lying on her back, staring up at the sky, a small pout on her lips. She sighed heavily, causing Jungkook to pause his enthusiastic monologue.

"What's wrong?" Jungkook asked, noticing her discontent. He leaned over, poking her cheek gently. "You look like someone stole your ice cream."

Y/n puffed her cheeks out more, refusing to meet his eyes. "I wanted to go to the mall today, but Mom and Dad are busy. They said we go to the same mall every weekend, and I always order the same McVeggie with extra cheese, large fries, and an Oreo McFlurry. They think it's boring."

Jungkook chuckled, the image of her with her regular order at McDonald's vivid in his mind. "But that’s your favorite, right?"

She huffed again, turning her head to look at him. "Yes, but I wanted to try something new. There's no new malls around, and that's the only mall in Busan."

Jungkook sat up straighter, thinking hard. "We could go to a different town. I’m sure there are other malls nearby."

Y/n still looked unconvinced. She remained silent, biting her lip. Jungkook tilted his head, trying to read her expression. "What is it?" he asked, his voice softening.

Y/n hesitated for a moment before pulling out a glossy magazine from under her pillow. She handed it to Jungkook, who looked down at the cover.

The magazine boasted a picture of the most expensive and luxurious mall in all of South Korea, located in Seoul. The grandeur of the place was evident from the photographs—sparkling storefronts, high-end fashion brands, gourmet restaurants, and elegant chandeliers hanging from the ceilings.

"I wanted to see what it’s like," Y/n admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "We don’t have anything like this in Busan. Busan is so small compared to Seoul."

Jungkook’s brows furrowed as he looked at the images. He himself was decked out in Cartier jewelry and a cozy Calvin Klein uniform, and he knew all about these luxury brands.

To him, those places were dull—just more stores with things he already had. But he couldn’t bring himself to say that to Y/n. She was clearly fascinated, and he didn’t want to ruin her excitement.

He forced a smile, nodding. "Maybe... very soon, we’ll have a mall like that in Busan too."

Y/n looked at him hopefully, but she didn't respond. She was still caught up in the glossy pages of the magazine, dreaming of a place she might never visit.

Later that evening, when Jungkook returned home, he couldn’t stop thinking about Y/n’s disappointment.

It gnawed at him, making him restless. He picked up his phone and dialed his grandmother’s number. After a few rings, her warm voice answered.

"Jungkook, my darling! What a surprise! How are you?"

A smile crept onto Jungkook’s face at the sound of his grandmother’s voice. "Hi, Granny! I’m good... but I need a favour."

His grandmother chuckled softly, already sensing that this wasn’t just a casual call. "Oh, I had a feeling. What is it this time, Kookie? Another horse? Or perhaps a new Harry Potter collection?"

Jungkook laughed, though there was a slight nervousness in his tone. He knew this was a big request, even for him. "Well, it’s not exactly a toy... It’s a mall."

"A mall?" His grandmother’s voice was laced with amusement and curiosity. "What do you mean, darling?"

Jungkook took a deep breath, preparing himself to explain. "Granny, there’s this really big, fancy mall in Seoul. It’s got all the luxury brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. But we don’t have anything like it in Busan. So... I was wondering if you could get one built here?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before his grandmother spoke again, her tone thoughtful. "That’s quite a request, Jungkook. Building a mall is no small task, even for our family. And since when are you interested in shopping malls? I thought you hated them."

For starters, Jungkook chose to ignore the last question.

Jungkook bit his lip, his mind racing for a way to convince her. He knew his grandmother had a soft spot for him, but he didn’t want to push too hard. Then, an idea struck him, and he grinned mischievously.

"Granny, do you remember the last time I visited you?" he began, his voice taking on a sweet, coaxing tone.

"Of course I do, darling," his grandmother replied, sounding intrigued. "We had tea in the garden, and you told me all about your new school projects."

"Right! And do you remember what you said when I made you that drawing of our family? You said it was the best gift you ever got," Jungkook continued, laying the flattery on thick.

His grandmother chuckled, clearly amused by his tactics. "Yes, I remember. It was a lovely drawing, Kookie."

Jungkook pressed on, his voice now dripping with charm. "And remember how I helped you pick out that new wallpaper for the sitting room? Everyone said it looked amazing. I just want to make you proud, Granny."

There was a playful sigh on the other end. "You’re buttering me up, young man. But I do love you, and I can tell this is important to you. Why this mall, though? Why go through all this trouble?"

Jungkook's cheek burned in embarassment, "I just want to shop around in the town without wanting to go to Seoul with mom all the time."

A warm laugh echoed through the phone. "All right, I’ll see what I can do. It might take some time, but I’ll get the right people involved. We’ll have a mall in Busan that’ll make her smile."

Jungkook’s face lit up with a wide grin. "Thank you, Granny! You’re the best!"

"Only for you, my sweet boy," she teased gently. "But remember, this won’t happen overnight. Be patient, okay?"

"I will, I promise," Jungkook replied eagerly, already imagining Y/n’s face when she found out about the mall.

"Good. Now, is there anything else you need, my little prince?" his grandmother asked, clearly enjoying their conversation.

Jungkook thought for a moment before shaking his head, even though she couldn’t see him. "No, Granny. Just... thank you. I really appreciate it."

"Anything for you, darling. Now, go enjoy the rest of your day, and don’t worry about a thing. We’ll make this happen."

"Bye, Granny! Love you!" Jungkook chirped, his heart light with excitement.

"Love you too, Jungkook. Take care," she replied warmly before hanging up.

Weeks went by, and one day, Y/n came running to Jungkook, holding another magazine in her hands. Her eyes were wide with excitement as she waved it in front of him.

"Jungkook, look! There’s a new mall that just opened in Busan! It’s supposed to be the biggest in Asia!" she exclaimed, almost breathless from excitement.

Jungkook’s initial reaction was to pout. He had wanted it to be the biggest mall in the world, but seeing Y/n’s excitement made him push aside his minor disappointment. He poked his cheek thoughtfully, then smiled at her.

"Really? The biggest in Asia?" he asked, feigning surprise.

Y/n nodded vigorously. "Yeah! It’s got all the luxury brands too, just like the one in Seoul!"

Jungkook smirked inwardly. Of course it does, he thought to himself. He had made sure of it. But he didn't let on, instead just saying, "That sounds amazing!"

Y/n beamed at him, clearly thrilled by the news. Jungkook felt a warm satisfaction knowing that he had done this for her, even if she didn’t know it.

--

Jungkook’s footsteps were light as he walked back home, his heart still soaring from the day’s events.

It was the thought of Y/n’s smile that truly warmed him from the inside out. He felt a giddy rush of happiness, the kind that made him want to skip down the sidewalk, though he restrained himself—just barely. After all, he was thirteen now, practically an adult. Or at least, that’s what he told himself.

As he walked, his mind began to drift, and before long, it was filled with thoughts of Y/n.

But these thoughts were different from the usual ones. They were softer, dreamier, more… complicated. He had seen enough movies to understand the concept of a couple.

A boy and a girl, holding hands, sharing secrets, maybe even… kissing. The idea of kissing made him blush furiously, his cheeks burning as the image of himself leaning in to kiss Y/n on the lips popped into his head.

He quickly shook it away, but it stubbornly returned, making his heart race.

In the movies, a kiss was always followed by something big. Like the couple getting married, or—Jungkook’s eyes widened—having babies.

He remembered a scene from one movie where the couple shared a kiss, and then suddenly, everything went black and the lady was pregnant and 9 months later, they were in a hospital with a baby.

That had to be how it worked, right? He wasn't completely sure, but it seemed logical enough for his thirteen-year-old mind.

His thoughts spiraled further into his daydream. He pictured himself and Y/n, grown up, driving in a shiny car through the city.

He was at the wheel, of course, and Y/n was in the passenger seat, laughing at something he had just said.

The sunroof was open, and the wind blew through their hair as they headed toward a beautiful sunset.

Jungkook imagined reaching over to take her hand, their fingers intertwining as they drove along a scenic highway, their favorite song playing softly in the background.

Then the scene shifted. Now they were standing at the altar of a grand church. Y/n was dressed in a stunning white gown, looking more beautiful than he’d ever seen her. Jungkook was in a sharp suit, feeling nervous but happy.

They exchanged vows, and when the time came Y/n looked up at him with those eyes that always made his heart do funny things.

She said, “I do,” and then they kissed. It was a soft, sweet kiss, the kind that would seal their love forever. And then they were married.

They would leave the church as husband and wife, hand in hand, ready to start their life together.

The thought made Jungkook’s chest swell with emotion. They would have a big house, with a garden where Y/n could grow all her favorite flowers.

And maybe, just maybe, they’d have a couple of kids, too—cute little ones who looked just like them.

He could see it so clearly: Y/n holding a baby in her arms, smiling up at him with that same beautiful smile that made his heart flutter.

Jungkook’s cheeks grew even hotter at the thought of sharing an ice cream cone with Y/n, their faces close together as they took turns licking at the cold treat.

He could see himself leaning in to kiss the tip of her nose, just like he’d seen in the movies, before pulling her close and—his breath hitched at the thought—maybe even kissing her lips.

He absently muttered to himself, a shy smile tugging at his lips. "We’ll have cute babies… and I’ll marry her in a big church… we’ll be together forever, and I’ll take care of her."

Then, as if a lightbulb had gone off in his head, an idea struck him.

Three days from now, he would ask his mom to take them to the new mall that his grandma had built. It would be the perfect setting—glittering lights, fancy stores, maybe even a romantic movie showing in the theater. And there, in that perfect moment, he would ask Y/n to be his girlfriend.

He'd get to kiss her!

When he got home, he would start planning everything. He would pick out his best clothes, practice what he was going to say, maybe even ask his grandma for advice on how to be a good boyfriend.

Mirae slammed the door to Jungkook's room open, her face a mask of fury. The sharp bang of wood against the wall echoed through the room, causing Jungkook to flinch slightly, though he kept his gaze trained on the mirror in front of him.

He was in the midst of picking out clothes, a pile of discarded shirts and jackets already strewn across the floor. He barely glanced up at his mother, who stood at the threshold, her chest heaving with anger.

"Jungkook!" she snapped, her voice trembling with the barely-contained rage that had been simmering for hours. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Jungkook’s eyes flicked to her in the mirror for a brief second before he went back to inspecting a navy blazer. "I'm trying to decide what to wear, Mom. Can't you see?" His tone was casual, dismissive, as though he hadn’t a care in the world.

Mirae's fists clenched at her sides. "I'm not talking about your clothes!" she shouted, taking several strides into the room until she was right behind him. "I’m talking about that mall! The one you demanded your grandma build! Do you even realize what you've done?"

Jungkook shrugged, not bothering to look at her. "Yeah, I asked for a mall to be built. So what?"

"So what?" Mirae echoed, incredulous. "You bypassed me completely! You didn't even think to tell me about this—this ridiculous request! You just went straight to your grandma, as if I don't even matter!"

He finally turned to face her, his expression unbothered, which only fueled her anger. "Grandma can do what she wants with her money. And I wanted to do something special for Y/n."

Mirae’s hands shook as she tried to rein in her temper. "This isn’t about money, Jungkook! This is about you understanding the consequences of your actions! You can’t just snap your fingers and expect the world to rearrange itself to your liking."

Jungkook huffed, turning back to his clothes. "I’m going to ask Y/n to be my girlfriend, Mom. And you can’t stop me."

Mirae’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Is that what this is all about? You did all this just to impress some girl?"

"Not just some girl. My little one," he corrected, picking up another shirt and examining it critically. "She deserves the best."

Mirae stood there, frozen for a moment, watching as her son went about his business as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb on her.

He moved with a confidence that was unsettling in someone his age, discarding clothes and barking orders to the maids who scurried around, trying to keep up with his demands.

When one maid hesitated, unsure of which garment to take, Jungkook's tone turned icy. "I said put that one away. It’s not good enough."

Mirae felt a cold fear grip her heart. This wasn’t just a spoiled child throwing a tantrum.

This was a boy who believed the world owed him everything, who saw people—his mother included—as mere obstacles or tools to be used for his own gain. She could see the seeds of something dark growing in him, something that terrified her to her core.

She took a deep breath and grabbed him by the arm, yanking him away from the mirror. Jungkook glared at her, but she held her ground.

"Do you even understand the gravity of what you’ve done?" she demanded, her voice low and fierce.

Jungkook met her gaze, unflinching. "Yes, I do. I’m going to get myself a girlfriend, and you can’t stop me."

His words were like a slap in the face. Mirae felt a wave of helplessness wash over her as she realized just how deep the divide between them had grown. She had always known Jungkook was a special child, that his upbringing was different, but this… this was something else entirely.

Without another word, she released him, stepping back as if recoiling from something dangerous.

She could see it now—the power her son held, the influence that came so easily to him. Today it was just a mall, but tomorrow… Tomorrow, who knew what he might demand?

He didn’t understand the value of money, of people’s dreams, or the consequences of his whims. And it was all because of his grandmother.

Mirae felt a deep sense of dread settle in her chest. She couldn’t stay here, watching as her son became more and more like his grandmother.

She couldn’t sit idly by as he grew into a man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, no matter who got hurt in the process.

As she turned to leave, her mind was already racing with plans. She needed to talk to his grandmother, to put an end to this before it was too late. She had to make her understand the monster she was creating.

Mirae grabbed her phone and hurried out of the room, dialing the familiar number.

Her heart pounded as the line rang, each second stretching into an eternity. Finally, a click, and a voice—smooth, controlled, with a hint of surprise.

"Mirae," Jungkook's grandmother greeted her, the tone colder than the arctic. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Mirae didn’t waste any time. "You need to take him back to London. Immediately."

There was a pause, and when the grandmother spoke again, her voice was tinged with amusement. "And why would I do that? He’s perfectly happy in Busan."

"Happy?" Mirae’s voice was strained with barely-contained anger. "You’ve spoiled him beyond limits! Do you even know what he did today? He demanded that a mall be built—just because a girl he is crushing over, wanted to go somewhere new! He doesn’t understand the value of anything! This is your doing!"

There was a soft, dismissive laugh on the other end. "Oh, Mirae. It’s my money. I can spend it how I see fit."

Mirae’s grip tightened on the phone. "Three days. I’m giving you three days to pick him up and take him back to London."

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. "You can’t order me around, Mirae."

Mirae’s eyes narrowed, her voice icy. "No, I can’t. But I can leave him here alone. I can walk away and let you deal with him. Is that what you want?"

There was a heavy silence. When the grandmother finally spoke, her voice was strained, almost pleading. "You’re the only warmth he has, Mirae. Without you, he won’t be raised well. You can’t leave him."

Mirae felt tears prick at her eyes, but she blinked them away. "I would have raised him well if you hadn’t intervened. But you’ve given him everything on a silver platter. He doesn’t know what it means to earn something, to value it. Do you even know that the land for that mall was meant for a community of developers? People who have been waiting years to start small businesses there? And now, their dreams are shattered, all because of one phone call from a thirteen-year-old boy who doesn’t know any better."

There was a soft, painful exhale on the other end. "Mirae…"

"Cut off all financial assistance to him," Mirae demanded, her voice shaking with the weight of her decision. "Or I’m gone. And this time, for good."

The silence on the other end was deafening. When the grandmother finally spoke, her voice was hardened, yet there was a crack in it, a vulnerability that Mirae had never heard before. "I thought you loved him."

Mirae let out a bitter laugh. "You know who I loved. But Jungkook… I can’t watch him turn into what his father was. Not at all."

The words hung between them, heavy and painful. On the other end, the grandmother seemed to be struggling to find her voice. When she did, it was softer, almost desperate.

"What if… what if he came to London for his higher studies? You can stay in Korea, but when he calls, you just… talk to him. Like the mother you are. Please, Mirae. Don’t take that away from him."

Mirae felt tears slipping down her cheeks, her resolve crumbling under the weight of her emotions. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

"Three days. That’s all I’m giving you. Get him out of here."

And with that, she ended the call, her hand trembling as she lowered the phone. She stood there for a moment, staring at the screen, her mind racing with everything that had just hened.

Her son was a stranger to her now. And she didn’t know if there was anything she could do to save him.