Instead of answering right away, Kai tore apart the cupcake he had picked up from the ground.
With careful fingers, he extracted something from within— a gleaming red pearl that sparkled in the dim light.
"Keep this with you, Dad. Every time we see each other, you have to hold this close to your heart," Kai explained in his innocent tone, offering the gleaming red pearl to Zach. "There can never be anyone else but the two of us. Do you understand?"
Zach could feel his heart heavy with emotion as he took the pearl from Kai's outstretched hand.
Before the man could say anything more, Kai leaned in to plant a tender kiss on his forehead.
The warmth of the gesture lingered for a fleeting moment before Zach was abruptly awakened from his sleep, his heart still racing as he struggled to comprehend the vividness of the dream he had just experienced.
With a labored breath, Zach found himself confined to the familiar surroundings of his own room.