Joe sat sulking, his ruse exposed once again.

"Mommy, when will daddy come back?"

Joe asked, hoping that if his father were there, perhaps his mother wouldn't keep such a constant eye on him.

Camila's expression faltered for a moment, her sigh almost imperceptible.

She too was unaware of Isaac's current whereabouts.

“Mommy, call daddy! I miss him," Joe implored.

“Do you think by saying this, you can skip studying?" Camila looked at her son with a mix of amusement and sternness.

Joe was speechless once more.

Had he been seen through again?

Silently, Joe flipped open the custom-made book Camila had prepared for him.

He couldn't yet recognize the characters, and Camila was patiently teaching him.

Just then, the phone buzzed...

She pulled out her phone and saw that the caller ID displayed Willie's name.

Since Isaac had lost his sight, they had come to rely mostly on Willie for communication.

"Is it a call from Daddy?" Joe asked, his voice laced with anticipation.

Camila could only speculate.

Deep down, she harbored the same hope.

Holding her breath slightly, she answered the phone, her voice steady but hopeful, "Hello?"

"It's me," Willie said.

Camila lowered her eyelashes slightly and hummed in acknowledgment.