CHAPTER 39: BETTER WITHOUT HIM

The Next Day...

"Mom, don’t we have any yummy food today?"

Egypt asked with a pout as she stared at the simple breakfast on the table—just eggs and fried rice.

I let out a deep sigh.

"That is yummy food. It’s your favorite, remember?" I said, pointing at the plate—the same breakfast she always used to ask for.

But she only pouted more.

"What I meant, Mommy... is, isn’t there any breakfast from Uncle Alpheus today? I really love the pancakes they always bring."

I paused, my spoon halfway to my mouth, and glanced at the twins.

Paris sat quietly, eating without a word, while Egypt—who used to eat whatever was in front of her without complaints—now looked like she was missing the breakfast meals sent by Rome’s friends.

After what happened yesterday, they didn’t send anything.

Maybe Alpheus told them I kicked him out... That’s probably why nothing came this morning.

I’d already expected this, which was why I got up early to make breakfast myself.

I don’t want the twins getting too used to the food they bring—not just because I can’t afford that kind of expensive food every day, but also because I don’t want them growing used to the presence of Rome’s friends.

I can feel their curiosity growing.

They might not say it out loud, but I can tell.

Paris and Egypt kept stealing glances at the door, as if they were quietly hoping—maybe even expecting—someone to knock.

And that quiet hope in their eyes...

It pains me knowing that the twins must be full of questions after hearing what Alpheus and Dave said.

I know them well—they’re smart kids. That’s why I can sense how badly they want to ask about their father. But I continue pretending not to notice. I’m simply not ready to have that conversation yet.

It’s better this way. Better if Rome’s friends stop coming around and stirring things up—so nothing about their father is brought up again.

"Sweetheart, if you really want pancakes that badly, then Mommy will make some for you tomorrow," I offered gently, trying to lift the mood. "And I promise they’ll taste even better than the ones they brought."

Egypt pouted even more, her lips jutting out.

"But I like the ones Uncle Alpheus always brings more..." she mumbled quietly.

My heart clenched.

"Do you think they’ll come today?" she asked, her voice hopeful but hesitant. "I woke up early just to see them... Are they mad at us?"

I couldn’t help but grip the spoon in my hand a little tighter. I forced myself to stay calm.

"Why, sweetie? You don’t like Mommy’s cooking anymore?" I asked, trying to sound playfully hurt as I mimicked her pout.

"N-no... I like your cooking," she replied, shifting guiltily in her seat. "But I still want to see them..."

I let out a long sigh, setting the spoon down.

"Sweetie, they’re busy people," I explained gently. "People like them don’t always have free time. They’re just like Mommy—they have jobs too. And sometimes, work gets in the way. That’s probably why they didn’t show up this morning. They must be really busy."

Egypt lowered her gaze and slowly nodded, visibly disappointed but trying to understand.

My eyes drifted toward Paris, who had been quiet ever since she woke up. She was staring at me intently, saying nothing—but I knew that, between the two of them, it was Paris who had more questions running through her mind.

She was just keeping them all to herself.

And that scared me more than Egypt’s sulking.

"What is it, sweetheart? You didn’t like the food?" I asked Paris.

But she shook her head and continued staring at me with her unreadable gaze.

"I liked the food, Mom. It’s way better than the ones Uncle Alpheus brings."

A small smile tugged at my lips as I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

I’d been worried she was about to bombard me with questions—questions I wasn’t ready to answer. Thankfully, she chose to stay silent.

Between her and Egypt, it’s always Paris I worry about more. Because when she becomes curious about something, she never lets it go until she finds the answer.

I gently reached out and placed a hand on her head, brushing her hair back softly.

"Good. I’ll make something really yummy for breakfast tomorrow, okay? But for now, look after your twin sister for me, alright?"

She nodded, and I gave her a quick smile before standing up to prepare the things they needed for school.

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Third Person POV

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Paris and Egypt exchanged a knowing glance as they watched their mom move around, preparing their school bags.

They didn’t say anything—but the look they shared was enough. A silent conversation only the two of them could understand.

"Paris, Egypt, are you done getting dressed?" their mom called from the kitchen.

"Yes, Mom!" the girls replied in unison.

"Okay, let’s get going then."

They looked at each other once more before slipping their hands together and following their mom out of the house.

"Did you forget anything?" Sylvia asked as they reached the gate.

"Nope, Mom." Paris answered.

Sylvia smiled and reached for their free hands, one twin on each side, as they began walking the familiar path to school.

As they walked, the twins couldn’t help but notice how quiet their mom had become. Her eyes seemed distant again. She had been like this for two weeks now—ever since Alpheus and his friends started showing up.

The twins exchanged another glance. They knew something was bothering her.

Still, they said nothing.

That silence followed them all the way to the school gate, where Sylvia finally stopped in front of the building and crouched down to their level.

"I’m sorry, sweethearts, but Mommy has to head to work now," she said gently. "I promise I won’t be late picking you up later, okay? I love you both."

And with that, the twins felt the familiar warmth of their mother’s lips as she kissed each of them on the forehead.

"See you later, Mom!"

Paris and Egypt stood quietly, still holding hands, watching her walk away.

They didn’t say a word.

But they were both thinking the same thing.

"Do you think Mom is thinking about our father?" Egypt asked.

"Dad is dead, so what are you even saying?" Paris replied flatly, without a hint of emotion, stopping just in front of their classroom.

Egypt frowned at her twin’s response.

"I’m not dumb, Paris! So don’t treat me like a kid who doesn’t know anything."

"But we are still kids, aren’t we?" Paris responded, raising an eyebrow.

Egypt paused. She fell silent for a second before letting out an exaggerated pout and stomping her foot on the floor.

"You know that’s not what I meant, Paris! What I’m saying is—I know our father is still alive. But Mom doesn’t want us to know anything about him!"

Paris’s expression turned serious.

"So what if he is alive?"

Egypt froze, thrown off by the lack of emotion on her sister’s face. There was no curiosity—unlike her, who had been dying to know who their father was.

"B-but... aren’t you curious about him?" Egypt asked again, now pouting even more.

Paris let out a deep sigh before answering.

"Not as much as you are. I’ve known for a while that he’s still alive. I just... I only wanted to know who he is because Mom’s been working so hard—two jobs just to take care of us. So I thought... maybe if he’s rich, we could at least ask for child support."

She paused, her eyes darkening slightly.

"But after seeing how Mom always stays quiet about him... and how upset she gets whenever his friends show up—I already know what kind of person our father is."

"He’s probably just a jerk. And honestly? I don’t want to meet him anymore."

Egypt fell silent and scratched her head. She realized Paris had a point.

Unlike her sister, her reason for wanting to meet their father had always been simple—just so she could say something back to the classmates who teased them for not having a dad. She just wanted to prove to them that they did have a father, too.

But now, thinking about what Paris had said... maybe it was better this way.

Maybe it was better to endure their classmates’ teasing than to let someone who might hurt their mom back into their lives. She’d rather be fatherless than see her mother in pain.

And just as that thought sank in, a shrill voice interrupted them.

"Oh look! It’s the twins—the ones with no dad! Hahaha!"