"I want to be my own person. I know you hate that I am here, but I love it here.
"Please, Papa, I want to stay here. I will take the guards everywhere, I will call every night, and you can visit any time, just leave, please, please! Don't make me go through another Marcus! I can't survive it!"
Mao nods, afraid of upsetting Day some more and making his mind remember even more unwanted memories.
"Okay, no more boys." She nods, and Day looks relieved.
"You mean it?"
"I promise. And, we won't take you back. It pains me to know you hate it at home, but … you are growing up. You need your own space. You can stay."
"T-thank you," Day blinks away the tears.
"And I will add the bodyguards, more security, since now you are all by yourself here. No more handholding."
"I will take that."
"Okay," Mao stands up, looking at her son a little longer before she makes for the door and pauses. "You are okay now?"
Turns out, not just Lily is weak for their son.
