CHAPTER 126: THE HARDEST REQUEST

"Mom, are you okay?" Paris asked softly, her small brows furrowed in concern.

I turned toward the twins, who were both standing a few steps away, watching me intently.

I forced a small smile and straightened up. "Of course I’m okay," I said, hoping my voice didn’t sound as shaky as I felt. "Why wouldn’t I be?"

Paris tilted her head. "Because you look... sad," she said quietly. "Is it because of him?"

For a moment, I froze. Kids really do see everything, don’t they? Even the things you try so hard to hide.

"No, sweetheart," I said gently, kneeling down to their level. "He didn’t make me sad. It’s just—" I paused, searching for the right words. "He’s not supposed to be here."

"Why not?" Egypt asked.

I didn’t answer.

Paris exchanged a look with her sister. "He brought flowers. You don’t like lilies anymore, Mom?"

That question made me chuckle a little, easing the tightness in my chest. "I do," I said softly. "Just... not from everyone."

Egypt frowned slightly. "Why not?"

I smiled and brushed her hair gently. "H-haha, I think it’s not right to talk about that first thing in the morning. Now," I said, clapping my hands lightly to shift the mood. "enough about that. Breakfast’s getting cold. I made fried chicken and chicken soup for you—so go wash your hands before the food turns into ice."

Egypt giggled, while Paris nodded and ran off toward the sink.

Once they were gone, I reached for my phone and glanced at the calendar. The twins’ birthday is just one day away. A bittersweet smile touched my lips before it slowly faded.

Rome.

I didn’t want to think about what was going through his mind, why he suddenly appeared at my door early in the morning with flowers. The thought alone was unsettling.

His visit bothered me even more than when he had claimed the twins might be his. He wasn’t the kind of man who gave flowers without a reason. If he brought them, it meant something. He probably had a hidden agenda or maybe he wanted to earn the twins’ trust.

I wanted to believe it was just a harmless visit, but deep down, I knew better.

But he still had no proof. I’ve made sure of that. I’ve been careful. I never let him get close enough to the twins, not even by accident. I couldn’t risk him taking a strand of their hair, a used spoon, anything that could give him what he wanted for a DNA test.

So far, I’ve done everything right. There’s no reason to panic. Not yet.

I took a deep breath and set my phone down on the counter.

After their birthday, we’ll have to leave again.

It wasn’t the first time I’d run, and maybe it wouldn’t be the last. But if that’s what it takes to protect the twins, then so be it.

I’d have to find a new place—somewhere far enough that Rome wouldn’t easily track us down. Maybe a small town by the sea again, or a quiet neighborhood where no one asks questions. Somewhere safe.

I’d need to transfer the twins to a new school, prepare all the documents, and pack up everything we needed. It wouldn’t be easy, but living in constant fear would be worse.

My eyes fell on the twins, now laughing as they argued playfully over who would get the bigger piece of fried chicken at the dining table. Their smiles lit up the whole room, so pure, innocent, and full of life. And in that moment, I knew I couldn’t let anyone not even Rome take that away.

"I won’t let him..." I whispered under my breath, gripping the edge of the counter.

Because no matter what he says, no matter how much he insists... Rome doesn’t get to decide what’s best for them. I do.

And if it means disappearing all over again, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.

**************

...at the hospital

"W-what did you say, Bern? Are you serious?" I asked, my voice barely steady, unable to believe what I had just heard.

"I’m serious, Sylvia," Bern replied, his voice tight with hesitation. "I don’t want to do it... but there’s no one else to take care of Cairo while I’m gone. I have to go back to Europe to handle some very important matters. So... for the meantime, while I’m away... could you please take care of Cairo?"

His tone was almost pleading, and his eyes searched mine for understanding.

I was standing outside Cairo’s hospital room, with his favorite chicken soup that I had packed and prepared for him.

I had planned to stay only briefly, just long enough to see him, keep my promise, and then leave to continue preparing and buying gifts for his and his sisters’ birthdays.

But before I could even step inside, Bern stopped me, his expression unusually serious.

"B-but Bern..." I stammered, my chest tightening. "You know Cairo’s birthday is just a day away... why do you have to leave now, of all times?"

Bern sighed and ran a hand through his hair, looking torn, as if even he didn’t know what to do.

"I know the timing is terrible. I wouldn’t ask if I had any other choice. I’ve tried to postpone, I really have—but this matter in Europe... it can’t wait. I have a major surgery scheduled that requires me to be there. You understand, don’t you? I’m a surgeon, Sylvia. And... I don’t have anyone else I can trust with Cairo. I know you wouldn’t want me to leave him with your brothers or your father." His voice softened, almost breaking.

"That’s why I’m asking you. Cairo... he needs someone who can truly care for him while I’m gone. And I need you to be that someone. You’re his mother—I know you can take care of him."

My chest tightened at his words. The weight of responsibility pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating.

Taking care of Cairo, my son, after all these years... it scared me.

How could I care for him without hurting him? What if he found out the truth, that I am his mother who abandoned him?

Would he hate me?.....

But Bern... I owed him. After all the years he had devoted to raising Cairo and keeping him safe, the least I could do was help. Maybe it was time to repay him for everything he had done for my son.

"I know this is sudden, asking you to take responsibility for Cairo. But Sylvia... don’t you think this is the perfect chance? The chance to finally be honest with him? To tell him... to let him know you’re his mother?"

My throat tightened. I knew he was right, but fear rooted me to the spot. My past was a shadow I wasn’t ready to face, and yet here was a chance to step forward and do what I had avoided for so long.

"O-okay... I will take care of Cairo while you’re gone..."

My voice wavering and betraying the fear inside me.

I know I’m cowardly for not being brave enough to face him, to tell him the truth about who I am. But I have to face it this time.

Bern’s face softened with relief, though worry still lingered in his eyes.

"Thank you, Sylvia. I know this isn’t easy... but I trust you."

I nodded, swallowing hard. "I’ll do my best. That’s all I can promise right now."

Bern gave me a faint, grateful smile. "Cairo’s been waiting for you since he woke up. I already told him that I’ll be gone for a while and that you’ll be taking care of him. I spoke with the doctor, and he said Cairo can be discharged anytime soon. So today, he can come with you. Can he stay at your house?"

I froze, my knees almost weakening at his words.

"M-my house?" I stammered.

"Yes, if that’s alright with you... Because there’s no one to take care of him 24/7, and he’s not safe alone where we are. He’ll be safer with you at your house."

"B-but... C-Cairo... what if he’s not comfortable living at my house? He might find out that I’m his mom... and his sisters—what if he’s not comfortable around them? What if—"

"Sylvia, look at me."

Bern’s firm voice cut through my panic. He reached out, placing both hands on my shoulders.

"Cairo isn’t the kind of kid you’re imagining. He adapts easily, and he’s kind. He’s not going to push people away. And so what if he finds out you’re his mom? It’s not like he’ll hate you for it. If anything, he’ll be happy—he’s been waiting for you for so long. So stop thinking the worst, Sylvia. He won’t love you any less. If he finds out, he’ll just love you more."

I didn’t know if I should feel reassured or even more terrified by his words. My heart thudded painfully in my chest. I wanted to believe Bern, but the doubt gnawed at me—

What if Cairo couldn’t accept me? What if he blamed me for everything he’d been through? Or worse, what if he got mad at me for lying to him?