CHAPTER 143: WHEN FATE CROSS OUR PATHS

"N-no... I can manage. We can just book a ride, so please just let us go..." I stammered, my voice trembling as I avoided Alpheus’s eyes.

He was trying to get a clearer look at Cairo’s face, but I shifted quickly, turning my body slightly and tightening my arms around him.

Cairo’s small head rested weakly on my shoulder, the brim of his cap hiding most of his pale face. I could feel the uneven rhythm of his breathing against my collarbone, and that alone made my heart clench painfully.

"Who is he, Sylvia?" Rome said in a low, tense, and demanding tone. His brows were furrowed, his eyes sharp and searching. "Who’s the child in your arms?"

"You don’t need to know him" I replied coldly, keeping my tone firm though my chest ached with panic.

My grip around Cairo tightened even more, as if by doing so, I could shield him from everything, from Rome’s questioning eyes and from the truth.

Rome took a step forward. For a fleeting moment, something flickered in his eyes, confusion, disbelief, and a trace of pain.

My breath hitched.

"Hey, bro," Calyx interrupted, moving forward to stop Rome from approaching me further. "Don’t push her. Just let Sylvia go, it looks serious. Can’t you see it looks like she needs to leave now?"

Rome shot him a sharp glare, but Calyx didn’t back down. Instead, he gave me a pointed look, his expression softening. Then he gave a subtle nod, as if silently saying, Go. Now.

I swallowed hard and nodded back slightly, my throat tight. "We’ll go now. Kids, come on." I said, my voice barely steady.

Without another word, I grabbed Egypt’s hand and urged the twins to follow.

As we hurried away, I could feel their eyes on my back, Rome’s especially. I didn’t dare look back.

My steps were quick, shaky, and desperate. Only when we were far enough from their sight did I finally let out the trembling breath I’d been holding.

I held Cairo tighter as we hurried toward the amusement park’s exit.

My heart pounded so hard it drowned out the laughter and chatter of the crowd around us.

Each step felt heavier, the weight of fear and the suffocating thought that Rome might already suspect the truth.

But right now, none of that mattered. Checking on Cairo’s condition was all that mattered.

When we finally stepped outside the amusement park, I quickly looked around for a taxi. But not a single one passed by. The road was full of cars, but none were stopping, as if fate itself was mocking me. I bit my lip, fighting the rising panic in my chest.

Maybe I was stupid for turning down Alpheus’s offer to drive us. Maybe I’d been selfish, too afraid of letting them see the truth about Cairo that I’d risked his safety just to keep hiding it.

Now that I thought about it, it was cowardly. I hated myself for it.

"Baby," I whispered, brushing a hand over Cairo’s cap, "are you still okay? Do you think you can hold on until we get to the hospital?"

His weak eyes lifted toward mine, tired but trying to stay strong. "I-I’m fine, Mommy..." he murmured.

The sound of his faint voice cracked something deep inside me. My poor son... how could I let things get this far?

I glanced down at Paris and Egypt walking beside me. They didn’t say anything, but I could feel their eyes on me. Worried, confused, scared. Egypt especially. She was holding my hand tighter than usual, as if at any moment she’d burst into tears or ask the questions she’d been holding back.

Five minutes passed. Still no taxi. I tried booking a ride again, but each time, it got canceled.

The frustration was unbearable. My palms were sweating, my heart racing. Every second we wasted felt like I was failing Cairo because of my cowardice.

Damn it. Maybe I should just go back and ask Alpheus for help—no matter the risk.

"Sylvia?"

The familiar voice made me turn instantly. My breath caught in my throat.

"Uncle Dave!" Egypt shouted, her face lighting up with relief.

Dave, wearing a casual polo and sunglasses, froze mid-step as his eyes darted between me and the kids. His gaze lingered on the twins holding bags of gifts, then shifted to the small figure in my arms.

His smile faded. "What are you three doing here... and—Sylvia, what happened?"

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice as Cairo stirred weakly in my arms.

"Please, Uncle Dave," Paris said, her small voice serious, "we need to get to the hospital. Now."

Dave’s expression turned serious in an instant. He looked at me, then at Cairo in my arms, as if assessing the situation. He didn’t ask anything else.

"Okay, let’s go" he said calmly, ushering us toward his car parked nearby and opening the door for us.

"Get in. I’ll drive fast."

As I climbed in, cradling Cairo close, I couldn’t help glancing out the window, back toward the amusement park where Rome and the others still were.

My chest tightened again.

If fate had been cruel enough to make us cross paths today... then what would happen once the truth finally caught up?

*********

The entire ride was quiet. I sat still, holding Cairo in my arms as he finally drifted to sleep against my chest. His small breaths came slow and shallow.

I gently removed his cap and laid it across his chest, brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead.

Paris and Egypt sat silently beside me, their faces turned toward the car window. Both of them looked like they were trying to understand what was happening but were too afraid to ask.

From the front seat, I noticed Dave glancing at us now and then through the rearview mirror. Every time our eyes almost met, I subtly lifted my hand, shielding Cairo’s face from view.

I could tell he wanted to ask something as his brow furrowed slightly, his grip on the steering wheel tightening for a moment, but he stayed silent.

He just kept driving, and by the time we reached the hospital, the weight in my chest had only grown heavier.