CHAPTER 142: NO TIME TO HIDE

Sylvia’s POV...

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"Cairo, are you done?"

I called from outside the restroom, glancing at my watch. It’s been almost ten minutes, yet he still hasn’t come out. I don’t know why, but an uneasy feeling suddenly crept over me.

"Cairo, are you okay in there?" I called again but just as I did, the door suddenly opened.

Instead of Cairo, a man stepped out, his expression alarmed. "M-Miss, are you the mother of the little boy inside?"

My heart dropped. "Uh, yes! I have a kid inside... w-why? What happened?"

"There’s a kid in there holding his chest. He looks like he’s struggling to breathe—I think he’s having an attack!"

I felt my breath catch. Before the man could even finish speaking, I rushed inside. I didn’t care that I was entering the men’s restroom or that there were a few men staring at me as I looked around and then I saw Cairo.

He was sitting on the floor, gasping for air while a few men tried to calm him down.

"Cairo!" I ran toward him, my heart pounding in my chest.

Seeing him like that broke me. His lips were trembling, his little hand clutching his shirt. Without thinking, I scooped him up into my arms.

"Miss, let me carry him for you!" one of the men offered, stepping forward.

I shook my head frantically. "N-no, thank you! I can carry him—please, just move aside!" My voice trembled as I hurried out of the restroom, holding Cairo tightly against me.

Every step felt heavier as panic flooded my chest. Why is this happening now?

Then it hit me—I’d left Cairo’s bag in the picnic area, along with his medicines. How could I be so careless? I thought he’d be fine for a while... I didn’t even consider that he might get tired easily. What kind of mother forgets something so important?

By the time I reached the picnic area, my arms were trembling. I looked around—and my heart sank even more.

The twins weren’t there.

"W-where are they?" I whispered, feeling the color drain from my face. Sweat beaded on my forehead as fear consumed me.

I didn’t know what to do first—to look for the twins or to calm Cairo down. My mind was in complete panic.

My hands shook as I set Cairo down gently on the mat and rummaged through the bag with trembling fingers, searching for his inhaler.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I finally grabbed it, my hands unsteady. "It’s okay, baby... Mommy’s here. Just breathe, okay? Please, just breathe..."

My hands trembled as I held the inhaler, my heart racing faster.

"Breathe in, baby... nice and slow," I whispered, trying to sound calm even though my voice quivered. "Good boy... that’s it, just like that."

Cairo obeyed weakly, his small fingers clutching my sleeve as he tried to follow my instructions.

Tears welled up in my eyes when I saw his chest rise and fall unevenly, but I forced myself to keep breathing with him, counting softly and trying to stay strong for his sake.

After a few moments, his breathing slowly began to ease. The tightness in his chest seemed to lessen, and the faint wheezing grew softer.

I let out a shaky sigh of relief and brushed his damp hair away from his forehead.

"Good job, sweetheart... you’re doing so well..." I murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple.

Then I reached for his medicine and carefully helped him take it.

Just when I thought things were finally settling down, a new wave of panic hit me—the twins.

I looked around frantically, scanning every direction of the picnic area.

"Paris? Egypt?!" I called out.

No reply. Only the distant sound of people laughing and the faint music from the amusement park rides nearby.

My pulse quickened. I stood up halfway, torn between staying with Cairo and running to find the twins.

Cairo tugged weakly at my sleeve. "M...mommy..." he breathed, his voice barely audible.

I immediately crouched beside him again, holding his hand. "I’m here, baby. I’m not leaving you. Just stay with me, okay? Mommy’s not going anywhere."

But deep down, fear clawed at my chest. Where could the two of them have gone? They were just here earlier, assuring me they wouldn’t go anywhere, so where are they now? I didn’t even realize I was already crying.

With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and tried to call them, but the signal kept cutting off.

"Please, not now..." I muttered under my breath, blinking back tears.

Just as I was about to lose hope, I heard familiar voices calling out in the distance—

"Mommy!"

My head snapped toward the sound. There, running toward me from the direction of the carousel were Paris and Egypt.

Egypt was still clutching a small balloon, while Paris held what looked like a cup of melted ice cream.

"Mommy! What happened to Cairo?" Paris shouted as they ran closer.

Tears finally spilled down my cheeks as I pulled Cairo closer, my voice trembling. "Where did you two go? I told you not to go too far!"

Egypt’s lower lip trembled. "We just went to get ice cream... Uncle Calyx said—"

"Uncle Calyx?" My eyes widened slightly, confusion flickering across my face. "You saw them?"

"Yes," Paris said quickly, catching her breath. "They were looking for us earlier—they even gave us presents!"

I blinked, torn between relief that they were safe and shock that they were here too.

My heart still hadn’t calmed, and I held Cairo tighter, exhaling shakily.

Then, from behind me, a familiar voice called out—steady, deep, and filled with concern.

"Sylvia!"

I turned around and froze.

It was Rome, running toward me, his face pale with worry. Behind him were Alfonso, Calyx, and Alpheus, all hurrying in our direction.

"Mommy, what happened to Cairo?"

Paris suddenly appeared in front of me, her wide eyes filled with worry. She quickly knelt beside us, staring at Cairo, who was still weak in my arms.

"H-he’ll be fine..." I whispered, though even I wasn’t sure if I believed my own words.

Without wasting another second, I lifted Cairo and rested his head carefully against my shoulder.

My arms ached, but I tightened my hold on him and grabbed our bags with my free hand.

There’s no time to waste, I have to get him to the hospital.

Rome and his friends were still a short distance away. My heart thudded painfully in my chest.

They can’t see him. Not Cairo. Not now.

"Kids, there’s no more time! Let’s go," I said firmly, my voice trembling. "Paris, hold Egypt’s hand."

Paris quickly obeyed, clutching Egypt’s small hand. I took Egypt’s other hand in mine and started walking as fast as I could, my pulse racing as I saw Rome moving toward us.

"Mom, what’s happening?" Egypt asked, her voice small and frightened.

"Just hold on, sweetheart..." I said breathlessly, trying not to panic.

"Sylvia!"

Rome’s voice echoed behind us. I froze for a moment, my whole body tensing. Sweat and fear mixed as I turned slightly.

He was already close, his eyes fixed on me and Cairo.

"Kids, come on! Let’s go!" I urged, but before I could take another step, Rome suddenly stepped in front of us, blocking the way.

My heart nearly stopped.

"W-what’s going on?" he demanded, his eyes darting from my face to the small figure in my arms. "And who is h-he?"

I instinctively pulled Cairo closer to my chest, wrapping my arm protectively around him. I grabbed the cap from my bag and quickly placed it over his head, shielding his face.

Cairo was still weak, his breathing faint, and I couldn’t let them see him—not like this.

Because if they saw him... they would know.

My thoughts were spiraling. I could barely think straight. All I wanted was to run—to get Cairo help. But the twins were watching me, confusion and worry written all over their faces.

When I looked down, Paris met my eyes. For a brief moment, I could tell she understood something I wasn’t saying aloud. She gave a small, hesitant nod before glancing at Egypt.

I took a shaky breath and faced Rome again. Even though my whole body was trembling, I tried to keep my voice firm.

"Move," I said sharply. "We have an emergency, and you’re not helping us right now. Please, Rome..just move aside."

My grip tightened around Egypt’s hand as I tried to step past him, but another figure moved in front of me—it was Alpheus.

"Wait, Sylvia..." he said, his tone cautious but sincere. "I don’t know what’s going on, but if this is an emergency, then it’s best if we take you. We can drive you to the hospital—it’ll be faster."

He turned to Rome, who was still frozen in place and staring at the child in my arms.

"Right, Rome?" Alpheus said.

Rome’s jaw tightened. His gaze dropped once more to Cairo then back to me.

For a brief moment, our eyes met. I could see the unspoken questions and the confusion in his eyes.