Liberty wrapped her arms around her son, softened her serious tone, and said, “I’ve been really busy lately, which has led me to neglect spending time with you. After just two days of kindergarten, we have the weekend off. This weekend, I’ll take you to the beach to play. How does that sound?”

Sonny asked, “Is Auntie coming?”

Liberty replied, “We can invite your aunt, cousin, and others too.”

Sonny cheerfully responded, “Okay, Mom! I promise I won’t say I can’t go to kindergarten again.”

Liberty released her son, smiled, and said, “Sonny, you understand me. I’m very happy you do, and when I realize I’m wrong, I try to correct it. That means I’m still a good mom.”

As she spoke, she kissed her son’s cheek.

Sonny kissed her back.

“Mom, let’s go to kindergarten now,” Sonny said, taking her hand as they walked toward the door.

He added, “Mom, I want to carry my schoolbag myself.”

Liberty handed him the schoolbag, and he slung it over his back as they headed outside together.

Once outside, Sonny stood to the side, waiting for his mother to lock the door.

After Liberty locked the door, she turned to take her son’s hand but noticed a man standing nearby, watching them.

This man was the same drunk she had encountered in the elevator the night before.

Though he appeared more sober than last night, his gaze was still unsettling.

He fixated on Liberty, and as she picked up her son to leave, he suddenly grinned and said, “So you live on this floor.”

Liberty’s heart raced.

Ignoring him, she hurried away with her son in her arms. Upon reaching the elevator, she felt relieved to see neighbors waiting to take the elevator down to buy groceries.

“Auntie, did you just see that man? Why is he on our floor? I’ve never seen him before.”

Liberty greeted her aunt and asked this question casually.

The aunt replied, “You mean that man who smells like alcohol? He lives on the top floor. I heard he recently went through a breakup. He goes out drinking every day and tends to lie around when he’s drunk. He often stares at women, and many of them feel uneasy around him.”

“As an older woman, I’m not overly frightened, but I still walk away when I see him. He seldom comes to our floor, so I don’t know why he made me nervous enough to rush down here today.”

“Liberty, since you live with Sonny, make sure to come home early at night, lock the door promptly, and avoid that drunk. You never know what he might do under the influence of alcohol.”

Having lived here for quite some time, Liberty was well-known among the residents on her floor. Everyone was aware that she was a divorced woman living alone with her son.

Her aunt offered this advice with kindness. Books are updated daily; join us to stay informed about all book updates…

Liberty replied with a hum, “I will.”

As the elevator door opened, Liberty ushered Sonny inside along with her aunt.

“Wait a moment.”

Just as the elevator door was about to close, someone rushed over. Hearing the commotion, Liberty instinctively pressed the button to let that person in.

A wave of alcohol hit her face.

The man who entered was the very drunkard who had lost his love and couldn’t take his eyes off women.

He hurried into the elevator, stood still, and smiled at Liberty.

Liberty didn’t respond and instinctively stepped back a few paces with her son to distance herself from him.

gazing at Liberty.