Chapter 813

Layla's POV

My heart clenched at the mention of my son, a wave of guilt crashing over me. It had been so long since I heard his voice, since I saw his smile. How could I be so selfish?

“Can... Can I talk to him?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Of course,” Jason said, his voice gentle. “He misses you, you know.”

The guilt tightened in my chest, suffocating me. I closed my eyes, my hand trembling as I held the phone to my ear, waiting, hoping that my son wouldn’t hate me for leaving him.

“Mommy?”

His tiny voice came through the line, sweet and innocent, full of love and warmth. My heart melted, tears stinging my eyes as I smiled, my chest aching with longing.

“Hey, baby,” I whispered, my voice cracking. 

“How are you?”

“I’m good!” he said, his voice full of excitement. 

“Daddy took me to get ice cream! I got chocolate and vanilla, and it’s so yummy!”

I laughed, the sound breaking t