Ariana took a deep breath before explaining, "You see, I haven't mustered the courage to tell my son about his father's death. He's been longing for a call from his dad. Could you pretend to be him and call my son tomorrow? I'll make sure to pay you for it once it's done."

Hearing the word "pay," Holden chuckled softly.

The sound of his chuckle made Ariana's heart quiver.

It was eerily reminiscent of how Theodore used to Laugh.

She pinched her hand tightly, reminding herself to stay composed.

The man on the other end was just an online friend; there was no way he could be Theodore.

Then she heard him ask, “Regarding the payment you mentioned, how much do you plan to offer?"

Given that he didn't seem to be in financial need, Ariana lightened the mood with a joke.

"I won't be so predictable as to transfer money the moment we agree."

Catching the nuance in her words, he cleared his throat and redirected the conversation.

“Alright, what should I be aware of?

Fill me in."

Taking a moment to think, Ariana briefed him on her son's birthday, his likes and dislikes, and the questions Melon might pose.

After listening carefully, the man spoke up, “I understand what you've shared. However, you've left out the most crucial detail."

Puzzled, Ariana wondered what she could have missed.

With a hint of a smile in his voice, he enlightened her.

"You haven't told me your son's name yet."

Ariana hit her palm on her forehead in a resounding slap. How in the world had she not given him his name? "Sorry, it completely slipped my mind. His name's Max," she quickly told Holden.

“Got it, Max, it is. I'll make sure to keep that in my memory,”

Holden quipped with a light chuckle.