After offering his courteous farewell, Locke broke into a joyful run, his small legs carrying him swiftly toward Ernest. “Dad!”

With a gentle smile and slight nod, Ernest bent down and scooped Locke into his arms. Locke’s small arms encircled Ernest’s neck while his large eyes sparkled with delight. “Dad, did you finish all your work early today? What about your meetings?”

Even at his young age, Locke understood that his father carried the weight of countless responsibilities that demanded his constant attention.

“Today brings a task more important than any business meeting.” Ernest settled Locke carefully into the car, his movements gentle yet purposeful.

“What could be so important, Dad?” Locke’s curiosity sparkled in his voice as the car glided smoothly away from the school grounds. “We’re going to visit Miss Holland together.”

“Wow!” Pure joy transformed Locke’s features, his entire face radiating excitement. “That’s wonderful!”

A subtle smile played at the corners of Ernest’s mouth. “Miss Holland has truly captured your heart, hasn’t she?”

“Yes, I like her more than almost anyone!”

“Locke.” Ernest’s features shifted into something more solemn as his gaze settled intently on Locke. “There’s something you need to know about Miss Holland—she’s your mother.”

Locke stayed quiet for a moment. His cheeks puffed out as he turned to Ernest. “Dad, did you and Miss Holland make up? Are you together again?”

Talking about grown-up matters with a child was never easy. There was no simple way to explain it all.

“We did make up.” Ernest offered a gentle nod and ruffled his son’s hair. “But that’s not the reason I’m saying this right now.”

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Taking a breath, Ernest’s tone shifted to something more careful and serious. “Listen, Locke. Miss Holland isn’t your mother because she’s with me. She’s your mother because she’s the one who brought you into this world. Do you get what I’m saying?”

That revelation left Locke trembling, his cheeks wobbling as his mouth opened in shock. His voice came out small and shaky. “Mom…?”

A puzzled look spread across his face. “So Miss Holland… she’s really my mom?”

“That’s right,” said Ernest.

As Ernest looked at his son’s wide-eyed face, a sense of sorrow pressed on his chest. This was a moment he’d hoped to avoid, but there was no easy way around it now.

The original plan Ernest and Elissa had agreed on was to wait until after they married, letting Locke adjust naturally—just as Joy had gotten used to having Eric in her life as her father. But things didn’t work out that way.

Thankfully, a child’s love for their mother ran deep. With how close Locke was to Elissa, Ernest hoped the transition wouldn’t be too hard.

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