CHAPTER 131: THE MOMENT HE KNEW

The Next Day...

"Are you going to be just fine, Cairo, without us?" Egypt asked, her brows knitting slightly as she adjusted her backpack.

We were standing outside the twins’ classroom, sunlight spilling across the hallway as other students rushed past us. I had decided to bring them to school myself before heading to work. Setting Cairo down from my arms, I let him talk to Egypt properly.

"Yes, I will be fine, Egypt," Cairo answered politely. "You and Sister Paris should take care. I hope the best in your studies."

Egypt pouted while crossing her arms. "Why did you only call Paris your sister? You should call me Sister Egypt too!"

Cairo blinked in surprise before a shy smile tugged at his lips. "Hehe, okay... Egypt."

"Hmph, you’re getting cheeky. Call me Sister Egypt!" she insisted, tapping her foot.

"Hehehe, okay, Big Sister Egypt! Good luck in your studies!"

I couldn’t help but smile at the two. Egypt grinned proudly, her earlier pout vanishing.

"Okay! Your Big Sister will do her best in school for you. In return, you have to protect Mom for the meantime, alright?"

"Okay!" Cairo replied enthusiastically, his eyes shining.

"Good! I gotta go!" Egypt said with a playful salute before hurrying into the classroom and taking her seat beside Paris, who was already waving at us.

"Let’s go?" I said softly, reaching out my hand to carry Cairo again.

But he shook his head. "I can take care of myself, M–mo... I mean, Syl."

That small slip made my chest tighten. He almost called me Mom again. But he stopped himself.

"But you can’t get tired, Cairo," I said worriedly, crouching a bit to look him in the eyes. "You’re still recovering."

"I’m fine, Syl," he assured me with a small smile. "If I do get tired, I’ll tell you."

Then, he reached out and held my hand.

I sighed softly and squeezed his hand in return.

"Alright," I whispered. I had no choice but to let him walk beside me.

Before leaving the twins’ classroom, I made sure he was wearing his mask and cap. I couldn’t risk him catching another illness. I had his medicines tucked safely inside my bag.

We were just about to step outside the school gate when someone suddenly called my name.

"Sylvia?"

I froze on the spot, my heart skipping a beat. Slowly, I turned toward the familiar voice.

Out of instinct, I glanced at Cairo, but he didn’t seem to hear someone calling me Sylvia. His gaze was fixed somewhere else, distracted. Then his eyes lifted, landing on the man who had just approached us.

"Alpheus."

He was walking toward us, that familiar easygoing smile on his face—the same smile I used to see every morning when I dropped the twins off.

"It’s been a while, Sylv—"

"It’s Syl for you, Mr. Principal." I cut him off quickly.

He blinked, taken aback. "Huh? Why Syl? Is that your nickname? I didn’t know that."

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, and I had to stop myself from sighing.

How could I forget that he works here? Of course I’d run into him eventually.

"I’m fine, Mr. Principal," I replied respectfully. "Thank you for always looking after my twins. I really appreciate it. But I’m in a bit of a hurry right now."

I glanced at my watch. I still had thirty minutes before work, but right now, the last thing I wanted was small talk—especially with Alpheus, and while Cairo was with me.

"I’ll be going now. Bye for—"

"Sylvia?"

This time, the voice was louder when it called my name.

My breath caught in my throat. No... not now.

I shut my eyes briefly before turning around and there they were.

Alfonso and Calyx.

Both walking toward us from the parking area.

"Sylvia!" Calyx called again, waving slightly in my direction. "It’s been so long since we last saw you here. Have you been busy these days?"

I forced a small smile, though my chest tightened.

"Calyx..." I murmured, my fingers unconsciously tightening around Cairo’s hand.

Of all people...why them?

"You haven’t been around lately. Paris and Egypt said you’ve been busy with... something." Calyx said.

I forced a small laugh. "Just work," I said simply. "I’ve been occupied lately, that’s all."

Cairo tugged lightly on my hand, glancing up at me with a questioning look. Then his eyes flicked toward Alfonso and Calyx. He looked curious about them and cautious at the same time.

"Cairo," I said softly, lowering my voice. "Stay close to me."

Calyx’s attention shifted to him immediately. "Oh? Who’s this little guy?" he asked with a smile, crouching a bit to meet Cairo’s eyes.

"Is he your nephew? Hi, man~" Then Calyx grinned widely.

Good thing I didn’t forget to have Cairo wear his mask, only his eyes were visible to them.

I hesitated, my grip on Cairo’s hand tightening just a little.

"No... he’s someone I’m taking care of for now." I answered vaguely.

Cairo looked up at me briefly, as if asking for silent permission to speak. I just barely nodded my head. "Good morning, Mister."

Calyx chuckled, clearly amused. "Oh, what a polite little one. Hi, little man! I’m Calyx. How about you?"

Damn... he just had to say my name again.

At that moment, the anxiety in my chest started to mix with unease. I looked at Cairo’s expression, he didn’t even seem surprised to hear my name repeated several times by Alfonso and Calyx. His full attention was fixed only on them.

"My name is Cairo Smith. It’s nice to meet you." Cairo said formally.

"Cairo Smith? Your name sounds foreign and beautiful. But why are you wearing a mask? Are you sick?" Calyx asked curiously.

Alfonso then also stepped closer. His eyes dropped to Cairo then lifted back to me with an unreadable look. "Wait... his eyes look familiar..."

"Ehem... Sir Alfonso and Sir Calyx," I cut in quickly, trying to sound calm. "It’s really nice to see you both again, but we should go. Cairo needs rest."

"Ah, right. Sorry, we didn’t mean to keep you. But ’Sir’? You don’t have to be that formal, Sylvia." Calyx said, rubbing his neck awkwardly.

"Ah-haha... but I should at least sound formal to the principal’s friends. I can’t just say your names casually—not on school grounds," I said with a polite smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. "Uhm... anyway, we’ll be going now, sirs. It’s nice seeing you both. Bye."

Without waiting for another word, I immediately passed through the school gate with Cairo. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my fingertips.

As soon as we were far enough from the school grounds, Cairo finally looked up at me.

"Syl..." he said softly. "Are they your friends?"

I exhaled slowly, shaking my head. "Nope, they’re not," I murmured. "They’re the owners of that school and happen to be close to Egypt and Paris, h-haha."

He stayed quiet after that, his little hand still wrapped tightly around mine.

When we finally reached the taxi stop, Cairo whispered something that made me stop.

"Sylvia... they called you Sylvia. Is your name Sylvia Lincolm?"

My throat suddenly went dry, my lips parched, and I could feel sweat trickling down my back. My body tensed up, and I found myself unable to meet Cairo’s gaze. I could feel his eyes on me.

A minute passed in silence. I couldn’t utter a single word. I didn’t know whether I should admit the truth or try to lie to him again.

He must have sensed the tension in me, because soon, his grip on my hand loosened. He didn’t look at me anymore. The air between us felt heavier by the second.

Just then, a taxi slowed down in front of us.

"Are you getting in, miss?" the driver called out.

Snapping out of my daze, I forced myself to breathe and shake off the chill running down my spine. I turned to Cairo and tried to smile, even though my lips trembled.

"Uh... let’s go?"

He only nodded quietly before reaching out to hold my hand as I helped him into the taxi.

Once the door closed behind us, the quiet returned and it pressed against my chest until it hurt to breathe.

"To Saint Rosary Hospital, please.." I told the driver softly.

As the car started moving, I glanced at Cairo. His face was turned toward the window, his reflection faintly visible against the glass. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, whether he was hurt, confused, or maybe even angry and disappointed.

My heart clenched painfully. I wanted to reach out, to explain—but how could I? What could I possibly say?

I tightened my grip on my hands resting on my lap, whispering a silent prayer that we’d reach the hospital soon so I could finally explain everything to him, even if I was scared.

I just wanted to hear his thoughts, his feelings. I didn’t care anymore if he got mad; I just wanted him to let everything out.

Minutes passed, the silence between us stretching thin.

Then, in a quiet voice that almost got lost in the hum of the road, Cairo finally spoke.

"So... Sylvia Lincolm," he murmured, before turning to look at me seriously. "Is that... really your name?"

I froze again as his eyes met mine, the name sounding heavier this time as it left his lips. My throat tightened I could barely swallow. My mouth opened, but no sound came out.

In the end, I just nodded before turning my gaze away because I didn’t know how to face the disappointment in his eyes.