Lyndon dabbed his mouth with a tissue and met her gaze.

"There's someone in my heart. I can't love anyone else but her."

A spark of interest lit up Ayla's eyes. "Really? There's nothing absolute in this world. Love can develop over time. I believe that if you give me a chance, you might find yourself drawn to me."

"You're beautiful and wealthy, with plenty of options. I can never be your ideal match. Don't waste your time on me," Lyndon replied.

“But... you are my type."

Ayla stared at him, raising her glass. "How about we give it a shot?

I can assure you that I'm more intriguing than you think."

This woman was certainly persistent.

Lyndon was momentarily speechless, but at that very moment, a sweet voice interrupted.

“Dad, don't leave me alone! I promise I'll be a good boy. Please, I don't want a stepmother!"

Lyndon felt weighed down.

Before he could react, the little boy leaped on him, staring up with big teary eyes.

Lyndon, surprised, heard Sheldon's soft voice echoing in his mind.

What did the kid just call him? Dad?

The boy clung to him, sniffling sadly.

“Dad, stepmoms are real nasty. They'll burn a kid's hands with hot water. They might purposely shove a kid down the stairs and they might even give a kid a poisoned apple to make them sleep forever.

Can you imagine me sleeping forever, Dad?"

Lyndon was baffled by the boy's words.

He just stared at him speechlessly.

Ayla widened her eyes, reacting to the boy calling Lyndon his dad.