Noel waved at them. For the first time, he was smiling widely and freely.
Summer and Gideon waved back, standing by the gate until his small figure vanished into the school building.
"Thank you for helping me," Gideon murmured. "I never thought Noel would speak up. And choosing me over Danica… that surprised me the most."
He had long noticed that Noel opened up more around Summer, and deep down, he believed that staying with her might help the boy heal.
"I didn't do it for you," Summer replied, turning to him. 'I did it for my revenge,' she added silently. But the words that escaped her mouth were, "I did it for Noel. He deserved the right to choose who he wanted to stay with, and he made that choice. I trust you won't let him down."
"As his father, I'll always do what's best for him." Gideon stepped closer and took her hands. "Do you remember what I told you yesterday?"
