The moment we stepped into the mall, I watched Charlie's face light up with excitement. He was almost bouncing on his toes, eyes wide as he took in the colorful storefronts, bustling crowds, and a towering Christmas tree in the center.
"Where do you want to go first, buddy?" I asked, grinning at his excitement.
He looked up at me with that big-eyed, hopeful expression. "Can we go to the toy store?"
I laughed, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Of course."
As he grabbed my hand and led the way, a wave of gratitude washed over me. This-spending time with my son, just the two of us-was something I'd been dreaming about for days. But just as we reached the toy store, a voice I hadn't expected to hear stopped me cold.
"Ram! Fancy seeing you here."
I turned, my stomach twisting as I s
