Chapter Twenty-Six :A Father’s Promise

The house felt different without Dominic.

Liam had been quieter than usual all morning, pushing his cereal around his bowl without eating much. Camille sat across from him at the kitchen table, watching him with concern.

"Not hungry?" she asked gently.

Liam shrugged, keeping his gaze down. "Is Dominic still sick?"

Camille's heart clenched. She had known this conversation was coming, but she hadn't quite prepared herself for it.

"He's getting better," she reassured him, reaching over to brush a curl from his forehead. "The doctors are taking good care of him."

Liam's small hands clenched into fists. "Is he gonna leave again?"

Camille stilled, her breath catching in her throat.

She wished she could give him an easy answer, one that would erase the worry from his young face. But she had promised herself—no more lies, no more half-truths.

She reached for his hand. "Dominic doesn't want to leave, sweetheart. He's trying really hard to stay."

Liam's lower lip wobbled, but he quickly bit it, trying to act tough. Camille's heart ached at the sight.

After a moment, Liam spoke again. "Can I see him?"

She hesitated. Dominic was still weak, and the last thing she wanted was for Liam to see him in a hospital bed, looking so vulnerable. But then again, maybe he needed to.

"I'll take you after school," she promised. "If Dominic is feeling up to it."

Liam nodded, but he didn't look completely convinced.

Camille sighed, pushing back her own worries. She had to stay strong for Liam.

Later that day…

Camille held Liam's hand tightly as they entered the hospital room. The beeping machines and sterile scent made her stomach twist, but she forced herself to focus on Dominic.

He was awake, sitting up against the pillows, looking exhausted but alert. His eyes softened the moment he saw Liam.

"Hey, kid," Dominic said, his voice slightly hoarse.

Liam hesitated, his fingers tightening around Camille's. Then, after a beat, he let go and took a step forward.

"You look weird," Liam stated bluntly, eyeing Dominic's pale complexion and the IV in his arm.

Dominic huffed a quiet laugh. "Yeah, hospitals will do that to you."

Liam shifted on his feet, glancing back at Camille before looking at Dominic again. "Are you gonna be okay?"

Dominic's expression turned serious. He reached out a hand, and after a moment's hesitation, Liam took it.

"I'm going to do everything I can to get better," Dominic promised. "I'm not going anywhere, buddy."

Liam's face scrunched up like he wasn't sure whether to believe him or not. Then, before anyone could react, he launched himself at Dominic, wrapping his small arms around him in a tight hug.

Dominic stiffened, startled, but quickly melted into the embrace. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if anchoring himself in the moment, then rested a hand on the back of Liam's head.

Camille swallowed against the lump in her throat.

Dominic had missed so much of Liam's life. But in that moment, none of it seemed to matter.

For the first time, Dominic wasn't just a ghost from Camille's past.

He was here.

And he wasn't letting go.