CHAPTER 32: HE DOESN’T DESERVE TO KNOW

Sylvia’ PoV

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"Mommy!!!"

Egypt cried out joyfully the moment she saw me, her voice as loud as ever, echoing through the hallway as she ran into my arms.

Paris, on the other hand, simply hugged me tightly without saying a word.

But even as I embraced them both, my gaze turned cold as it locked onto the group of men standing just outside my children’s classroom—men I never expected to see here. Not now. Not like this.

My eyes quickly narrowed at Alpheus. Of course. I had a feeling he was behind all of this.

I knew I couldn’t trust him. He went and told his friends about this—about me—without even waiting a day to pass. He couldn’t even keep it to himself for 24 hours. Unbelievable.

"...Sylvia?"

I heard Alfonso’s stunned voice as he caught sight of me, his expression mirroring the shock on the faces of the two other men with him—both standing frozen, eyes wide, staring not just at me but at the two children holding onto me.

But I didn’t give any of them the satisfaction of a response.

I kept my attention solely on Alpheus, whose nervous expression told me everything I needed to know. The guilt was written all over his face. He didn’t expect me here—and he certainly didn’t expect me this angry.

"W-Wait! Wait! Sylvia, l-let me explain... you’ve got it all wrong!" Alpheus blurted out, raising both hands in defense. "I didn’t tell them about this place—honestly, I had no idea they were following me here to the kids’ school!"

"Then what are you doing here?"

I couldn’t stop my voice from turning cold—cold enough that both Egypt and Paris looked up at me, probably startled.

"I just wanted to visit them..."

"You ’don’t know’ how they managed to follow you?" I scoffed, glaring at him. "Don’t insult me, Alpheus. They wouldn’t have followed you here unless they had a reason—unless you gave them one."

My anger was bubbling over now, and I still refused to spare even a glance at the three men standing behind him.

"I’m sorry," Alpheus said quietly, his voice low with guilt. "Maybe it was my carelessness... maybe that’s why they were able to follow me."

Hah!

I couldn’t help but clench my jaw. Damn it. Seeing Rome’s friends here—right here in my children’s school—was beyond infuriating.

This was supposed to be a safe space for my kids.

But now... it didn’t feel safe at all.

I had just come from work—completely exhausted after a long day filled with endless tasks. My boss hadn’t given me a single moment of peace, barking orders left and right like I was some kind of machine.

And now, this. This was what welcomed me the moment I stepped near my kids’ classroom.

Instead of finally feeling the relief I was hoping for after seeing my children, I felt the exact opposite—anger and frustration.

"Sorry, Sylvia," Calyx said, his voice apologetic. "But this isn’t Alpheus’s fault. Honestly, we were the stubborn ones who decided to follow him. He didn’t tell us anything. We had no idea we’d end up learning something like this just by tailing him today."

"And anyway," Dave chimed in bluntly, "I just want to ask—who’s the father of the kids?"

I shot him a sharp glare. How dare he?

"Don’t you dare speak another word!" I snapped, my voice raised just enough that the kids looked up at me, wide-eyed. I took a breath, trying to calm myself.

"I don’t want any of you bringing up names that the kids shouldn’t be hearing—especially not here. So please... don’t ask anything."

But Dave didn’t back down. "Then judging by your reaction, it looks like our suspicions were right. You really don’t intend to tell him about them, do you? Look—whatever your reasons are, we’re not going to press you about why you’ve kept this a secret from him... but at least let us see the kids. That’s all we’re asking."

"W-What? Are you seriously saying that to me?!" I snapped, my voice rising with disbelief. "That’s not happening. The kids have nothing to do with any of you!"

"But they have everything to do with our friend." Dave shot back, unfazed.

I scoffed, my patience hanging by a thread. "Hah! You’re shameless, Mr. Dave. First of all, you have no right—none—when it comes to these children. And second, so what if you’re friends with him? That man has had nothing to do with me for a long time now. I’ve built a life without him. I’ve raised these kids without him."

Dave’s gaze slowly drifted toward the children. "And yet, despite all that... they still carry traces of him."

The way he said it made my stomach tighten. Is he seriously saying all of that in front of the children? Unbelievable.

I stepped in front of the kids protectively, placing myself between them and the four of them.

"Paris, Egypt," I said as gently as I could, "can you two go back inside the classroom with your godmother for a little while? Mommy just needs to talk to these strangers, okay?"

Paris nodded. She immediately understood what I meant.

"But Mommy... I want to stay with you." Egypt whimpered, hugging my legs tightly.

I bent down, brushing her cheek softly. "I know, sweetheart. But Mommy’s a little busy right now, okay? I just have to take care of something. Just for a moment."

Thankfully, Paris reached for her sister’s hand and pulled her away, whispering something to comfort her as they went back inside. I watched them until they were safely out of sight, then turned coldly back to Rome’s friends.

I forced myself to stay as calm as possible before facing them one by one. They all wore the same stunned expression, and it made me nervous for a moment.

But no—I shouldn’t let them get to me. I haven’t done anything wrong. They’re the ones who suddenly barged into the children’s lives.

"So, going back to what you’re asking—that I should let you see the kids... I can’t do that," I said firmly, keeping my voice as steady as I could. "I don’t trust any of you. Not when you’re friends with Rome."

"Why won’t you tell Rome about the kids?" Calyx asked.

"Because he doesn’t need to know about them." I replied coldly.

"But why?" he pressed. "From what I know, you’re the woman he’s been looking for all this time. And judging from how he reacts whenever your name comes up... I think he still loves you."

I scoffed, jaw tightening. "Don’t talk to me about that kind of love!" I snapped. "He never loved me. He only hurt me."

"Then why don’t you tell him that yourself?" Dave challenged. "Let him say it to your face—that he still loves you."

"I told you already!" I burst out, unable to hold back anymore. "He doesn’t love me! He married someone else!" My voice cracked slightly, but I stood my ground. "Or have you all forgotten that your precious friend is already married? And now you’re here—telling me all this like you don’t even know what kind of situation he’s in!"

That finally shut them up.