CHAPTER 134: FAMILIAR FACES FROM THE PAST

"You look familiar. Have we met before?" Ingrid asked, her gaze sweeping sharply.

Mrs. Hariston followed Ingrid’s eyes and froze when she saw me.

Her hand flew to her lips in feigned surprise but the faint curl at the corner of her mouth told a different story.

She’s mocking me....

"Oh! if I’m not mistaken... you’re Sylvia, right? How are you?" she asked sweetly, her voice dipped in false concern, before glancing at Ingrid, whose expression mirrored the same cold recognition.

Their lips curved into identical smirks, the kind that made my stomach twist.

I clenched my fists tightly, trying to keep my composure.

"Oh, Sylvia? You mean Sylvia Lincolm? What a small world.." Ingrid said, letting out a low, mocking laugh.

"Who would’ve thought we’d see you again after—what—five, six years? You’ve changed so much I almost didn’t recognize you. Right, Mom?"

Mrs. Hariston chuckled under her breath.

"Yeah. From an orphan to a waitress now." Her tone dripped with disdain. "I guess you really met your karma. You look older... and worn out. Poverty doesn’t look good on you. Tell me, did you finally repent for cheating on my son?"

My chest tightened painfully at her words.

"Oh, don’t be too harsh on her, Mom," Ingrid said mockingly, resting her chin on her palm. "It’s been so long already—no need to bring up the past. Just look at her now. Someone as low as her was never meant for Rome in the first place."

"Well, you’re right," Mrs. Hariston replied with a smug smile. "Someone like her isn’t even worth the trouble. I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if Rome had gone through with marrying her, our family would’ve surely met its end because of bad luck."

"Oh, haha, that was too harsh, Mom. You shouldn’t say that to her. She’s still Rome’s ex, after all. She looks like a changed woman now."

"What changed woman? She still looks the same to me. A poor desperate woman."

Their cruel laughter echoed faintly in my ears. I bit my lip hard, forcing myself not to speak, not to defend myself even though every word they threw at me felt like a slap.

I didn’t want to cause a scene, not when my manager was right beside me, glancing nervously between me and the VIPs.

"Ehem..." My manager stepped forward, her tone polite but strained. "I’m sorry, our dear VIPs. I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I’ll have someone else take over as your server now. Sylvia isn’t feeling well today. May I take your order, please?"

"Pft—feeling well?" Ingrid scoffed, crossing her arms. "Or just embarrassed?"

I bowed my head lower, trembling. The humiliation burned deep inside me, but I stayed silent. There was no use fighting people who had already decided what I was worth.

"I’m sorry, Mrs. Hariston," my manager said again, trying to defuse the tension. "But she truly isn’t feeling well. I’ll personally handle your table from here."

Mrs. Hariston only gave a dismissive wave.

"Fine. Just make sure the service is up to our standards. I’d hate to ruin my day if I have to keep seeing her."

As my manager gently guided me away, I caught one last glimpse of them, Ingrid whispering something to Mrs. Hariston, both of them laughing quietly.

I could still feel their eyes on me even as I stepped behind the counter, my breath unsteady. I wanted to disappear to melt into the floor and never see them again.

But when I looked toward the corner of the restaurant, I froze.

Cairo was standing there, his small hands gripping the edge of the chair, his wide eyes staring at me with confusion and concern.

"Mommy..." he whispered softly, just loud enough for me to hear.

That single word pierced deeper than any insult they could have thrown.

I took a deep breath, forcing a smile for his sake even as my voice trembled. "It’s okay, baby... Mommy’s fine."

"Mommy, who are they?" Cairo asked, peeking curiously in the direction of Ingrid and Rome’s mom.

Good thing we were sitting in the farthest corner of the restaurant, he hadn’t heard a single one of the cruel things they said. I quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his view.

"They’re just customers, sweetheart," I said softly, forcing a calm tone. "You don’t have to worry about them, okay?"

My manager approached, her expression full of guilt.

"I’m really sorry, Sylvia... I didn’t know they were like that. I shouldn’t have assigned you to that table. I think it’s best if you take the rest of the day off. I’m truly sorry for putting you in that difficult situation."

I let out a deep sigh before turning to face her. She looked genuinely remorseful, and I couldn’t bring myself to blame her. It wasn’t her fault, those people just thought too highly of themselves.

"No, it’s okay, Manager," I said quietly. "You shouldn’t apologize for them. If anyone should, it’s them but I doubt they ever will. Still... I’m sorry I couldn’t do my job properly today."

My manager shook her head firmly. "No, you don’t need to apologize. You did your best. Go home and rest for now. And don’t worry—I’ll approve your leave for tomorrow."

I managed a small, weary smile before nodding. "Thank you."

I lifted Cairo into my arms and turned away to leave. My chest still ached as the laughter of those women lingered faintly in my ears. I didn’t want to stay here any longer—not when there was a chance they might see us again, or worse, see Cairo.

So before they could even glance my way, I made my way toward the back door. But just as I was about to step outside, someone suddenly turned the corner—almost bumping straight into me and Cairo.

"Ah—!" I gasped, tightening my hold on Cairo to steady us both.

The man in front of me froze. His eyes widened as they landed on me, and for a moment, it felt like the world stood still.

"...Sylvia?"

My breath caught in my throat. That voice, deep, familiar, and haunting. I knew it before I even saw his face.

Greece Hariston.

Of all people... why did it have to be him?

"Sylvia, it’s really you!"

Greece exclaimed in shock, stepping closer as if to hug me, but he froze the moment his eyes landed on Cairo, who was staring back at him curiously.

A faint crease formed between Greece’s brows as his gaze flickered between me and my son. Then, after a moment, his expression suddenly lit up.

"H-he looks like me..." he whispered in disbelief.

His words hit me instantly—he shouldn’t see Cairo.

I quickly pulled down the brim of Cairo’s cap and tugged up the small facemask resting beneath his chin, covering most of his face. But it was too late. Greece had already seen him.

I tried to walk past him, clutching Cairo tightly in my arms, but Greece stepped sideways, blocking my path.

"W-wait, Sylvia... that kid. Can I see his face again?"

My pulse spiked in panic. I turned my back to shield Cairo and glared at him.

"Don’t. I don’t know you, so please, know your boundaries, Mr."

Greece raised a brow, the corner of his lips lifting slightly in disbelief. "So now you don’t know me anymore? That hurts, Sylvia. Of all people, you should remember me. I was the one who knew all your secrets back then. We were like siblings, remember?"

My grip on Cairo tightened instinctively. My mind raced with panic.

"Whatever we were before doesn’t matter now. P-please move. I don’t want to cause a scene."

But instead of stepping aside, Greece’s expression softened before his eyes landed once again on Cairo in my arms.

"...Sylvia," he said quietly, almost in a whisper. "Who is he...?"

My heart skipped a beat. For a second, I couldn’t even breathe.

Every instinct screamed for me to run.

I adjusted Cairo’s cap again, pretending to focus on fixing it just to avoid meeting Greece’s eyes. My hands trembled slightly, and he seemed to notice.

"Greece," I said, my voice low and cold. "Please, stop asking questions that don’t concern you."

His lips parted, but the words seemed to die on his tongue. He took a step closer. "Sylvia... is he also your—"

"Enough," I cut him off sharply. The sound of my own voice startled even me. "You’ve already crossed a line."

Greece froze. For a long, tense moment, we just stared at each other.

He gave a faint chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "I see. You’ve changed."

I shifted Cairo in my arms, his small fingers clutching the fabric of my shirt. I could feel his heartbeat, steady but curious—as he whispered., "Mom... who’s he?"

My throat tightened. I forced a smile and brushed his hair. "No one, sweetheart. Just someone I used to know."

Greece’s eyes dimmed at that, his posture straightening. "I didn’t mean to scare you," he said quietly. "It’s just... it’s been years, and seeing you again like this—it caught me off guard."

I nodded slightly, keeping my gaze on the ground. "Then please... let this be the last time you see me like this."

Before he could reply, I stepped around him and walked away fast.

Behind us, I could feel Greece’s eyes following until we finally made it out of the restaurant.

Still, even as I managed to hail a taxi, I couldn’t shake the thought that this wasn’t the last time I’d see him.