Back at Chang Min’s pce, Gun was practically glowing as he sat across from his friend, recounting the details of his date with Cassius. Chang Min leaned back in his chair, sipping tea as he listened, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  “It was… incredible,” Gun said, unable to hide the smile that kept creeping onto his face. “We talked, ughed, and… he kissed me.”

  Chang Min raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like it was more than just ‘talking’ and ‘ughing.’” He teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

  Gun ughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, maybe a little more than that. But it felt… right, you know? For the first time in years, I didn’t feel guilty. I felt like I could finally move forward.”

  “I’m happy for you, Gun. You deserve this,” Chang Min said, his voice sincere.

  Just as Gun was about to respond, there was a quiet knock on the door, and Elijah, the middle child, peered into the room. Gun smiled and waved him in.

  “What’s up, buddy?” Gun asked, his tone gentle as Elijah approached.

  Without saying a word, Elijah climbed onto the couch beside Gun and id his head on Gun’s p, his small body curling into the comfort of his presence. Gun ran a hand through the boy’s soft hair, but there was something off in the way Elijah was unusually quiet.

  “Elijah?” Gun called softly, looking down at him.

  The boy’s voice was barely a whisper. “Are you going to leave us now?”

  Gun’s heart skipped a beat, his hand freezing mid-stroke through Elijah’s hair. “What? Why would you think that?”

  Elijah looked up at him, his eyes wide and filled with worry. “Because you found someone. Are you going to leave us like Dad did?”

  Gun’s chest tightened at the mention of King. He hadn’t realised how much the children must have been paying attention, how much they might fear losing him, too.

  “No,” Gun said firmly, his voice thick with emotion. “Elijah, listen to me. I would never leave you, Jason, or Adalynn. No matter what happens. You’re my family, and nothing will ever change that.”

  Elijah looked uncertain, his small fingers gripping Gun’s shirt. “But what if you get busy or… or what if that man doesn’t want us?”

  Gun’s heart broke at the vulnerability in the boy’s voice. “Cassius is just someone I’m getting to know right now, okay? But even if I do start dating him, you three will always come first. I promise.”

  Elijah seemed to rex a little, but Gun could see the fear still lingering in his eyes. He realised then that he had been so caught up in his own emotions, in the possibility of love again, that he hadn’t fully considered how his dating life might affect the children.

  “I think we need to talk,” Gun said softly, looking at Elijah. “Get Jason and Adalynn. Let’s sit down together.”

  A short while ter, Gun gathered the three children in the living room, all of them looking at him with wide, expectant eyes. He took a deep breath, kneeling in front of them.

  “I want you guys to know something really important,” he began. “No matter what happens with me or who I decide to spend time with, I’m never going to leave you. You’re my family, and I love you more than anything in this world. You’re always going to be a part of my life.”

  Jason looked thoughtful. “But if you start dating Cassius, won’t things change?”

  “Some things might change, yes,” Gun admitted. “But not the important things. I’ll always be here for you, always taking care of you. You’ll never lose me.”

  Adalynn clutched her stuffed animal, her big eyes fixed on Gun. “Promise?”

  Gun smiled softly, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “I promise. Cross my heart.”

  The tension in the room lifted as the children absorbed his words, their anxious expressions slowly easing. Gun felt relieved.

  “To make it up to you,” he added with a grin, “how about we go shopping this afternoon? You can pick out whatever you want.”