Chapter 894

Layla's POV

Little Jason giggled, looking up at me with innocent curiosity. 

“Did you build sandcastles, Mommy?”

I ruffled his hair, smiling down at him. 

“Of course, baby. Maddie and I built the biggest one ever. You would have loved it.”

He pouted. “I wish I was there.”

I felt a pang of guilt at that.

He deserved to experience things like that too…to travel, to see new places, to run along the shore without a care in the world.

And yet, I had left him behind.

“Next time, I’ll take you with me,” I promised, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “We’ll go to the beach together, and I’ll build you the best sandcastle ever.”

His face lit up with excitement. “Really?”

“Really.”

Jason watched us with a soft expression, his usual teasing demeanor momentarily replaced with something more tender.

I quickly looked away, afraid that if I held his gaze for too long, he would see the truth in my