“Don’t worry, Mum. I’ll be a good boy,” Xavier said softly, his small hand brushing away the last of my tears. His voice, though young, carried a determination that made my chest tighten. “I promise I’ll protect you.” 

“Thank you, sweetheart,” I whispered, emotion catching in my throat as I watched the sincerity in his eyes. 

A cheeky grin spread across his face then, breaking the tender moment.

“I’ll protect you like a famous cowboy, Mum! I just need to wait until I get my revolver licence one day,” he declared with a giggle, quickly forming his tiny fingers into the shape of a gun, his imaginary shots echoing through...