CHAPTER 132: SHE’S MY MOM

"Miss, we’re here."

I blinked, startled. I hadn’t even realized we’d already reached the hospital. My chest felt painfully heavy.

After paying the driver, I quickly helped Cairo out of the taxi. His small hand felt warm against mine, but his silence was colder than anything I could bear.

I couldn’t read his expression whether it was confusion, hurt, or anger, and that alone made my heart ache.

We started walking toward the hospital, but before I could take another step inside, I stopped. I chose to pause at the small garden before the hospital entrance, where only a few people passed by.

My heart was pounding so fast it felt like it would burst. I couldn’t take another second of this, of not knowing what he was thinking.

"Cairo.." I said softly, lowering my head before forcing myself to meet his eyes.

He looked slightly surprised at first, but he didn’t look away. His gaze met mine, surprisingly calm, yet filled with questions I’d been running from for too long.

"Do you... want to talk first?" I asked, my voice trembling. I didn’t even know where that courage came from, but my hands were shaking uncontrollably.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The distant murmur of people faded away. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart.

"I want to," Cairo said, almost above a whisper. "But will you tell me the truth this time, Sylvia?"

The way he said my name, it didn’t sound angry. It sounded tired. Like he was afraid of what he might hear, but even more afraid of not hearing it at all.

I bit my lip hard, feeling tears threaten to fall. "Yes... I will," I whispered, my voice breaking. "You deserve that much. You deserve to know everything."

Cairo looked down, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve. "Then... can I ask just one thing first?"

I nodded, though my throat tightened. "Of course."

He looked up at me again. "If your name is Sylvia Lincolm..." He paused, hesitating before finishing, "then... who am I to you?"

My breath caught. My mind went blank, but my heart screamed the answer I’d been too afraid to say.

"I—" My voice faltered, breaking apart before the words could form.

I swallowed hard, my eyes blurring. "You’re..." I started again, my voice trembling. "You’re my son, Cairo."

Silence.

Then his eyes slowly widened. Shock, disbelief, and a thousand emotions flickering all at once.

For a moment, Cairo didn’t move. His wide eyes just stayed locked on mine, his lips slightly parted like he couldn’t quite process what he’d just heard.

The world around us blurred, the people and even the sound of the hospital doors sliding open and shut behind us. It was just the two of us standing there, suspended in that fragile, unbearable silence.

His hand slipped out of mine.

"Your... son?" he echoed quietly, as if testing the words on his tongue. "You mean... all this time..."

I could barely breathe. My knees felt weak, but I forced myself to stay still.

"All this time," I said softly, my voice breaking with each word. "I didn’t mean for it to be this way. I wanted to tell you—so many times—but..."

"But you didn’t," he interrupted, his voice trembling now. "You didn’t tell me. You let me call you Syl. You let me think you were just... someone nice who took care of me."

Tears welled up in his eyes, and when he looked up again, it wasn’t anger I saw—it was heartbreak. "Why?" he whispered. "Why didn’t you tell me, Mom?"

The last word shattered something inside me. I hadn’t heard it in so long, not from him, not directed at me. It sounded fragile, uncertain, as if he wasn’t sure he even had the right to say it.

I stepped closer, my vision blurring as I fought back tears. "Because I was scared, Cairo..." I admitted.

"I was scared you’d hate me... scared you wouldn’t forgive me for not being there when you needed me most. I thought maybe... maybe it was better if I kept my distance and just stayed by your side quietly, without you knowing anything about me, so I wouldn’t hurt you again. I’m s-sorry, son... I’m sorry for being a bad mom to you."

He stared at me, tears streaming down his cheeks. "But I needed you," he said, his voice shaking. "I needed you even when I didn’t know who you were."

I couldn’t hold back anymore. I knelt in front of him, my tears falling freely now. "I know, baby. I know—and I’m so sorry."

For a second, he just stood there, his small shoulders trembling. Then slowly, almost hesitantly, he took a step forward and another until his arms wrapped tightly around my neck.

I gasped softly, feeling his warmth, his heartbeat against mine. His voice came muffled against my shoulder. "You’re really my mom..."

I held him tighter, my whole body trembling. "Yes," I whispered, choking on my tears. "I’m your mom, Cairo. And I’m never letting you go again."

For the first time in what felt like forever, the weight in my chest began to lift. We stayed like that for a long moment, just a mother and son, two souls finally finding their way back to each other.

***********

"Wow, Cairo! You seem to be doing well since you got out of the hospital," the doctor said as he checked Cairo’s pulse and heart monitor. "Your heart is responding nicely. Are you happy today?"

Cairo looked at me briefly before turning back to the doctor with a small, genuine smile. "Yes, Doc. My heart’s been happy today."

The doctor chuckled lightly, pleased by his answer. "That’s good to hear. It would be best if you stayed happy every day. Your heart shows no signs of irregular rhythm, which is great progress."

He then turned his gaze toward me with a friendly look. "You’re his nanny, right? I haven’t seen Mr. Smith lately, probably busy abroad again? You’re doing a great job taking care of his son, so I hope you’ll continue—"

"Doc, I think you’re misunderstanding her. She’s not my nanny." Cairo interrupted firmly.

The doctor blinked, caught off guard, his hand still holding the stethoscope. "Oh? Then... is she your aunt?"

"No," Cairo said without hesitation. "She’s not my aunt either. She’s my mom."

For a moment, silence filled the room. Even I was taken aback by his words. My heart skipped a beat as the doctor’s brows lifted in surprise. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, a faint, nervous laugh escaping him.

"Ah—haha... I’m sorry, Cairo. I didn’t realize," he said apologetically before glancing at me with an embarrassed smile. "You two really look close. I should’ve guessed."

I forced a small smile, still stunned and deeply moved by what Cairo had said.

I could feel the doctor’s uncertain gaze lingering perhaps wondering if what Cairo said was true but he didn’t ask further. Instead, he patted Cairo’s shoulder gently.

"Well, I’m sorry for misunderstanding your mom, Cairo. I didn’t mean to say that," the doctor continued, clearing his throat. "Ahem... everything looks great. Your heart’s strong, Cairo. Keep following your routine, avoid too much stress, and don’t forget your medication. You’re doing amazing."

"Thank you, Doc." Cairo replied politely.

The doctor glanced at me again. "You must be proud. He’s recovering remarkably well. Most kids with his condition don’t bounce back this fast."

I managed a small nod, though my heart was still fluttering from what Cairo had just said.

She’s my mom...The words echoed again and again in my mind, wrapping around my heart with a warmth I hadn’t felt in so long.

"Anyway," the doctor continued, flipping through Cairo’s chart. "his heart rate is steady, and the recent tests show no irregularities. Just make sure he doesn’t overexert himself for the next few weeks. Gentle activities only, no running around or stressful excitement."

"I’ll make sure of that." I said softly.

Cairo looked at me then, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "You worry too much, Mom."

That single word Mom hit me again, even more gently this time. I couldn’t help the small smile that curved on my lips.

"Well, before we end," the doctor said, setting the chart aside, "I’d like to talk to you privately, Mrs. Smith. I just need to go over Cairo’s new medication and a few recommendations. Could you follow me to my office for a moment?"

"Uh, Cairo," the doctor added, turning back to him, "I’ll just borrow your mom for a bit, okay? The nurse will stay with you while we talk, so don’t go anywhere."

Cairo nodded. "Okay, Doc."

The doctor gestured to one of the nurses, who came over to stay with Cairo as he led me out of the room.

As we walked down the quiet hospital hallway, my mind was still replaying Cairo’s words over and over.

She’s my mom. I still couldn’t quite believe I’d heard them.

When we reached the doctor’s small office, he closed the door behind us and sighed softly before facing me.

"I’m sorry for earlier, Mrs. Smith," he began. "I didn’t know you were his mother. I’ve seen you visit him several times during his confinement, but I didn’t mean to assume or pry into your personal situation." He paused briefly, choosing his words carefully.

"I also don’t mean to sound intrusive about your relationship with Mr. Smith. It just seemed like... there’s been some distance between you two for a long time, and that seems to have affected Cairo."

I blinked, unsure how to respond at first.

"Uh, Doctor... I’m sorry, but Bern and I—we’re not what you think we are. I’m not Mrs. Smith either." I offered a small, uneasy smile.

"Please, just call me Ms. Lincolm. And I hope you don’t mind me asking, but... what do you mean it’s been affecting Cairo?"