"Honey, I love you, but we've been through this before. Going on business trips is not something new for us," Marcus said with a sigh, observing you clinging to his leg and pleading for him to stay. He felt a slight annoyance at your sudden neediness.

"Besides, you mentioned not feeling well. It would be better for you to stay with your parents while I'm away. It's only for a week. We'll see each other again once I'm back, won't we?"

Oh, if only he knew the limited time you had left.