Audrey's POV:

Edward's eyes widened, mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find an appropriate response.

"Miss Lane, I don't think I can possiblyallow-"he began,but was interrupted by the soft chime of his phone.

Edward glanced down at the screen, his expression shifting from concern to something unreadable.

After a moment of consideration, he looked back at me with a slight nod.

"I suppose... it might do the young master some good to get fresh air."Edward sald carefully.

"But he must be returned before dinner."

"Thank you, Edward," I said. grateful for his trust. "I promise I'll take good care of him."

Edward nodded, the worry lines around his eyes softening slightly.

"I know you will, Miss Lane."

I approached Noah slowly, noticing how his eyes had already brightened when he'd overheard me asking to take him away.

His small body remained turned from me, but there was a new alertness in his posture-a spark of hope replacing the defeated slump of his shoulders.

Kneeling beside his small form, I spoke gently.

"Noah, would you like to come with me today? We could spend some time together, just you and me."

Noah turned to face me then, his dark eyes meeting mine. Then he gave a small,deliberate nod.

"Great," I smiled, extending my hand. "Let's go on an adventure."

My heart squeezed in my chest as I lifted him, feeling his small body curl trustingly against mine.

He was lighter than I expected, his arms wrapping around my neck as he nestled his head against my shoulder.

Edward watched us with a mixture of concern and relief as I carried Noah out to my car.

I paused before stepping outside.

"I promise I'll bring him back safe and sound, Edward," I said quietly,meeting his eyes. "You won't get in trouble for this."

Edward's shoulders relaxed slightly, and a small smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you, Miss Lane. I trust you completely with Noah. I hope you both have a wonderful time together."

I nodded, grateful for his faith in me.

"We'll be back before dinner," I assured him once more before carrying Noah out to my car.

Once we reached my apartment, my first priority was making sure Nonh wouldn't be recognized if we went out again.

"We need to be very careful," I explained as I set him down in my living room.

"No one can know you're Noah Thornton today. You'll need a disguise."

I rummaged through my art supplies, pulling out stage makeup, a baseball cap,and some colorful scarves.

"How about we turn you into someone completely different?" I suggested.arranging the items on my coffee table.

"Would you like that?"

Noah nodded again, a flicker of curiosity replacing some of the sadness in his eyes.

Twenty minutes later, Noah was transformed.

I'd used stage makeup to give him rosy cheeks, freckles, and a different eye shape.

The baseball cap covered his distinctive hair, but the piece de résistance was the adorable tiger costume.

The orange and black striped hoodie had little ears on top, matching pants,and even a tail that hung down the back.

Noah stood before me, completely outfitted as a tiny tiger, yer his expression remained characteristically solemn and dignified-those serious eyes looking out from beneath the tiger-eared hood.

My heart nearly burst at the sight.

The contrast between his grave little face and the utterly adorable tiger outfit was almost too much to bear.

I couldn't contain myself.

A burst of delighted laughter escaped me as I clapped my hands together.

"Oh my goodness. Noah! You are the most adorable little tiger I've ever seen!" 1 exclaimed, my eyes crinkling with genuine joy.

"You look absolutely perfect! I love it!"

His solemn expression wavered, and to my surprise, a faint pink blush spread across his cheeks.

He glanced down at his tiger paws, then back up at me, the corner of his mouth twitching upward ever so slightly.

"Seriously, you're the cutest thing I've ever seen," I continued,circling him to admire the full effect.

"No one would recognize the young Thornton heir now-they'd just see the world's most charming little tiger!"

We set out on our adventure.

The serious linle boy who had left the Thornton estate was slowly transforming, his eyes brightening with each new discovery.

In his tiger costume, with ice cream on his face and his new plush cat tucked under his arm, he looked like any other happy four-year-old having a wonderful day out with me.

By mid-afternoon, I could sew fatigue setting in.

His steps slowed, and the shadows under his eyes reminded me that he was still recovering.

"Are you getting tired, little tiger?" I asked gently, kneeling to his level.

Noah nodded, clutching his plush cat closer.

"Let's head back and have a rest," I suggested.

Noah didn't wait for me to take his hand-he reached out and firmly grasped mine, interlacing his small fingers with my own.

A warmth flooded through me.

Children truly are remarkable creatures, I thought.

Their hearts so pure and unguarded.

Noah had been hurt by my absence, yet here he was, holding my hand without reservation after just a few hours together.

No adult would forgive so quickly, so completely.

By the time we reached my apartment building. Noah had already fallen asleep in my arms.

His head rested against my chest, the tiger hood slipping back slightly,revealing his peaceful face.

Looking down at his sleeping face, the little tiger ears from his costume framing his delicate features, I felt my heart constrict with tenderness.

I gently wrapped my arms around him, covering us both with a soft throw blanket, tucking it around his small shoulders.

As his breathing slowed and deepened, I found myself stroking his hair.humming a soft melody.

In this quiet moment, I realized it wasn't just Noah who needed me.Perhaps I needed him in ways I wasn't yet ready to acknowledge.

But happy moments never last long enough.

Before I knew it, the afternoon had slipped away, and it was time to return Noah to the Thornton estate.

With reluctance weighing down my movements, I gently woke him and led him to the bathroom.

"We should probably clean our faces before going back," I said.

"Edward might have a heart attack if he sees you looking like this."

The moment the words "going back" left my mouth, Noah's entire demeanor changed.

"Hey, it's okay," I said, kneeling to his level.

"We had a wonderful day, didn't we? And we can do it again soon, I promise."

Noah grabbed onto my sleeve with surprising strength. His eyes filled with tears that he stubbornly refused to let fall.

"I know," I whispered, feeling my own throat tighten. "I don't want to go back either."

The emotion crashed over me in a wave I couldn't control. And suddenly.without warning, tears were streaming down my face.

"T'm sorry," I gasped, turning away so Noah wouldn't see.

But it was too late. Noah had seen my tears, and his eyes widened in alarm.

He slid off his chair and came to stand beside me, his small hand tentatively touching my arm.

I tried to smile through my tears. "I'm okay, really."

Noah's brow furrowed in concentration, and he awkwardly patted my shoulder in what was clearly an attempt to comfort me.

But his earnest efforts only made me cry harder.

If only Noah were my child.