CHAPTER 57: LIKE A KID AGAIN

"So are you saying I should just accept that my parents are getting divorced? Is that it?" Gabriel’s voice cracked.

I couldn’t bring myself to answer. That wasn’t something I could decide for him. Only he could come to terms with that. Still, I noticed the sadness flickering in his eyes—like a storm he was trying hard to hold back.

"But what if I tell you... my dad’s going to abandon us?" His voice dropped lower. "Because I overheard my mom saying he’s seeing another woman."

I froze. That kind of question—how do you even begin to respond?

"Seeing another woman? Isn’t that what people call cheating?" Egypt interjected without hesitation, frowning.

"I-I don’t know..." Gabriel muttered, averting his eyes. "I only heard it from Mom. I haven’t heard anything directly from Dad. I just thought... maybe Dad got tired of Mom, so he found someone else."

Paris, ever blunt, leaned forward. "Then just ask your dad directly. We don’t really have any advice to give about that. If he admits he has someone else, then that means he doesn’t love your mom anymore. But if he says it’s not true, then it’s up to you if you’ll believe him or not."

Then Egypt turned to me with a serious expression. "Mom, what do you think about Gabriel’s dad? Do you think he’s divorcing Gabriel’s mom because of another woman?"

I blinked, snapping back to the moment like I’d just woken from a daze. Did I space out for a second?

"Uhm... I don’t want to meddle in things like that," I said carefully. "But Gabriel, would you mind telling me... who is your father?"

I didn’t know why, but a strange, uneasy feeling had been creeping up on me—one I couldn’t ignore any longer.

"H-his name is Rome Hariston.."

R-Rome...?

It was like everything stopped. My heart thudded heavily in my chest, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. What were the odds? What a cruel twist of fate.

How had I not realized it sooner? Maybe because a part of me wanted to believe—no, needed to believe—that he was Daniel’s son. I kept pushing the possibility aside, afraid to accept that Rome had a child with the woman he married.

God... what an unexpected reunion. Of all the people, of all the children—why his?

Fate really had a twisted sense of humor, didn’t it? All his children, unknowingly drawn to each other, brought together by the very man who had failed them in different ways.

If Gabriel hadn’t said his father might be seeing someone else, I wouldn’t have suspected a thing. Between Daniel and Rome, Rome always seemed like the one who would never cheat.

But that was the biggest lie.

He fooled me once—made me believe I was the only one he loved. And now, he’s done it again. Not just to me... but to his own wife. To his own child.

What a jerk.

"R-Rome Hariston... what a surprise..."

"You know him, Mom?"

Paris asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

I froze. I hadn’t even realized I’d said his name out loud.

"N-no. I’m just surprised because he’s the son of Denmark Hariston—the one managing most of the Hariston businesses. He’s so well-known that even people like us, from the lower rungs of society, know who he is.." I said, forcing a small smile.

"I can’t say for sure that your dad wants to divorce your mom because of another woman," I continued, trying to choose my words carefully. "I don’t really know him. But as a young boy like you, I think you should ask your dad about it directly—privately."

I sighed.

"You’re still a child, Gabriel. You shouldn’t have to carry the weight of adult problems like this. But if knowing the truth will help ease your mind, then ask him... when you’re ready."

How infuriating. I couldn’t believe someone like Rome would let his own son overhear something like that.

If he really was seeing another woman—if he truly was that much of a jerk—then he should’ve at least made an effort to hide it. And now, because of his carelessness, I was the one left giving his son advice about his infidelity.

I glanced at Gabriel again. He had lowered his head, no longer on the verge of tears like earlier. His earlier outburst had faded. He looked calmer now...

He really is a mature kid—like the twins. Maybe he understood what I was trying to say after all.

And come to think of it, if he’s a nephew of Alpheus... then maybe his mother is somehow related to him. A kid raised in a complicated family like that probably had no choice but to grow up faster than most.

"M-Mom, it hurts..."

Startled, I turned to Egypt, who had just shrugged off my hand from her shoulder.

I blinked, realizing just how tightly I had been holding onto her without even noticing.

"Oh, my poor sweetheart... I’m so sorry. Does it still hurt?" I asked, kissing her shoulder gently.

Egypt shook her head.

"Not anymore, Mom. But... what’s that smell?"

Her nose twitched as she sniffed the air.

"It smells like... something’s burning."

My eyes widened as I suddenly stood up.

Shoot! I completely forgot I was cooking something.

---

A few moments later...

"So, how is it, kids? Better than the one I burned earlier?" I asked, watching them take bites of the second dish I made after nearly setting the first one on fire.

Good thing I still had enough ingredients left to whip up another batch.

"It’s edible, Mom." Egypt said with a cheeky grin.

I reached over and gave her cheek a gentle pinch.

"Ack! Mom, that hurts!"

"’Edible,’ huh? Are you saying my cooking is just barely acceptable?" I teased.

"Hehe, just kidding! It’s actually really good—as always."

"How about you, Paris? Not bad?" I turned to her, watching her expression.

Paris glanced at me briefly before offering a small smile.

"It’s delicious as ever, Mom."

I let out a breath of relief. The kids seemed to have returned to their usual cheerful selves—except for Gabriel, who still looked a bit awkward and shy, hesitating with his spoon.

"How about you, Gabriel? Does it suit your taste?"

He slowly took a bite, chewing carefully. Then his eyes widened ever so slightly as he continued eating without hesitation.

"I-it’s..."

We all leaned in slightly, waiting for his verdict.

Gabriel looked away, flustered by all our attention.

"G-good.." he mumbled softly, his ears turning visibly red.

"Good? That’s all you have to say?" Egypt said, raising an eyebrow. "My mom doesn’t look like it, but she’s the best cook! So the word ’good’ just isn’t enough."

"Then... it’s delicious.." Gabriel mumbled shyly.

"Good. I approve!" Egypt gave him a big thumbs-up. "Now that you seem calm, you should smile too!"

The bashfulness on Gabriel’s face faded, immediately replaced by a slight frown. "Why should I smile?" he asked, puzzled.

"Because smiling is the best way to chase away sadness! If you’re having a hard time, don’t be afraid to tell us what’s bothering you instead of keeping it all inside—then smile after. Like this!" She beamed at him, flashing all her teeth in an exaggerated grin.

"Like this?" Gabriel copied her, forcing a wide grin of his own.

"Hehe! That’s right!" she giggled proudly.

"Tsk. So gullible.." Paris muttered under her breath.

"What did you say?" Gabriel turned to her.

"Nothing! I said... how old are you? You’re really tall."

"I’m five years old."

"W-what? You’re only five?! You’re still so young!" Paris nearly choked on her food.

Gabriel scratched the back of his neck, looking a bit shy. "People always say I act older than I am..."

"Well, you kind of do," I added with a soft chuckle, ruffling his hair gently. "But it’s okay. You’re allowed to be a kid here. You don’t have to act strong all the time."

He blinked at me, unsure how to respond at first, then slowly nodded.

Egypt leaned on the table, her cheeks puffed out in thought. "You know, Gabriel, you should stay over more often. You’re weird—but not in a bad way."

"I... guess that’s a compliment?" he replied, lips twitching into a small, genuine smile.

"Yes, that’s a compliment! Don’t be like Paris who always looks like an old woman!" Egypt teased.

"What did you say?! Who’s an old woman?!" Paris snapped, raising a brow.

She crossed her arms, pretending to look angry—but the softening in her eyes gave her away.

"You! You act like an old woman sometimes! Ack—Paris! That hurts!"

Paris had grabbed Egypt’s cheeks and squished them tightly, making her squeal.

"Pffttt—Hahaha!"

Unexpectedly, Gabriel burst into laughter—a full, bright laugh that echoed around the room. The three of us froze in surprise.

"Wow... so you do know how to laugh!" Egypt said in amazement.

"O-of course I do! I’m not a robot" Gabriel replied, trying to stifle another giggle.

"Pffttt..."

I couldn’t help it—I started laughing too.

The three of them turned to look at me, and before long, laughter bubbled around the table like nothing had happened earlier.

And in that moment, as joy filled the room, I realized something, for the first time in a long while... Gabriel finally looked like a kid who felt free.