The hallway was quiet, the soft shuffle of footsteps the only sound as Chloe walked, Carter's small hand resting in hers.
His grip tightened slightly, like he was still processing.
Then—his question came, careful but certain.
"Where are we going?"
Chloe exhaled softly, adjusting the strap of his backpack.
"To meet your grandparents and uncles," she answered, voice even, gentle.
Carter blinked. "I have grandparents?"
Chloe swallowed. Her past choices pressed against her in that moment—the years of distance, the separation Carter never had to experience.
"You do," she said firmly. "And they can't wait to meet you."
Carter considered this, small hands gripping the straps of his bag.
"And what about Daddy?" he asked carefully.
Chloe inhaled, keeping her pace steady.
"Daddy will stay here," she said simply. "You'll see him on vacations, and we'll have video calls."
Carter nodded slowly, processing.
Then—softer now, quieter, more uncertain—
"Is it my fault?"
Chloe stopped.
She turned slightly, kneeling so they were eye to eye.
"Not even a little bit," she said softly. Absolute certainty. No hesitation.
Carter blinked, chewing his lip. "Then why did it happen?"
Chloe exhaled, brushing his hair back gently.
"Sometimes grown-ups don't make the best choices," she said carefully. "And sometimes, things don't work out the way we planned. But this—" She squeezed his hand slightly. "This was never about you. You did nothing wrong."
Carter stared at her for a moment. Then—smaller now, barely a whisper—
"Promise?"
Chloe's chest tightened slightly.
"I promise," she said firmly.
Silence.
Then—Carter exhaled, nodding.
"Are we starting our life there?" he asked, voice steadier now.
Chloe smiled softly. "We are."
Carter considered that for a moment. Then—quiet, steady, unquestioning—he nodded.
And with that, Chloe took his hand and led them out—toward everything waiting beyond this place.