CHAPTER 62: ONE LAST GOODBYE

Please just go back to the room for now... please....

I was trying my best to hold myself together and appear calm, even though I knew the twins could probably see right through me.

I might’ve looked strange right now—my mind was in chaos, and I was panicking inside.

I couldn’t let them and Rome see each other—not even by accident. One quick glance would be enough for Rome to notice the resemblance.

I was sure that if that happened, he’d be completely thrown off once he saw the twins.

And the twins? They were smart—too smart. That’s what scared me the most.

"Okay, Mommy. We’ll go back to the room" Paris said after staring at me for a long moment. She reached out and took Egypt’s hand, leading her toward the bedroom.

I could tell Paris sensed that something wasn’t right. She didn’t say anything, but the way her eyes lingered on me... I knew she was curious. She just didn’t want to push it and ask.

Egypt, on the other hand, looked completely confused.

"Mom... are you sure the man outside isn’t the bad man?" she asked, tilting her head. "I thought you said earlier that he was a bad man?"

My chest tightened.

She was still thinking about what I told her earlier—about the "bad man" knocking at the door.

"Uhm... the man I told you about earlier probably left already," I explained, choosing my words carefully. "The one outside now... he’s Gabriel’s dad. So go with your sister and stay inside the room, okay? No matter what happens, don’t come out unless I say so."

The twins slowly nodded, and I let out a quiet breath of relief as they finally walked away.

Paris was holding Egypt’s hand as they entered the room and gently closed the door behind them.

I turned to Gabriel, taking another steadying breath.

"Gabriel... are you ready to talk to your dad?" I asked quietly. "Because if you’re not, I won’t open this door. I won’t let him in."

Please... don’t say you’re letting him in.

Even as I said that, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

Gabriel lowered his head. "I-I’m sorry for causing trouble... But c-can I talk with my dad?" he asked timidly, his eyes refusing to meet mine.

He probably thought his father was being a burden to me by showing up in the middle of the night just to take him back. And honestly? He wasn’t wrong.

His dad wasn’t just causing trouble—he was also the reason for the uneasy weight pressing against my chest ever since he suddenly appeared here.

"Okay," I said quietly. "If that’s what you want... then I’ll let the two of you talk."

I walked toward the door and slowly turned the knob, taking a deep breath to steady myself. But the moment I opened it, my heart clenched.

There was Rome—standing just inches away, his hand still raised mid-air as if he’d been about to knock again.

Behind him stood his friends, the same ones who quickly averted their gazes the moment they saw me.

Tch. They didn’t even try to stop him. So why come here at all? They shouldn’t have. Their presence would only make things worse, it would only make Rome more suspicious.

"Sylvia..."

Rome said, his eyes locking onto mine. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. There was something unreadable in his gaze—like he wanted to say something but was holding himself back.

"D-Dad..."

Gabriel muttered, and immediately, Rome’s attention shifted to him.

Without another word, he stepped inside, walking past me. He stopped in front of Gabriel, slowly knelt down... and pulled him into an embrace.

I turned away, unable to watch. My hand instinctively went to my chest as I tried to steady my breathing.

He has a son. He has a family. That should be enough for him—shouldn’t it?

But everything Gabriel told me about him... left a bitter taste in my mouth.

And yet—watching him now—I couldn’t deny it. He seemed to be a loving father to Gabriel. So he should focus on that. He should focus on being a father, on giving Gabriel the love and care he needs.

As for me?

Whatever Rome and I had in the past... it’s better left where it belongs—in the past.

"G-Gabriel... why did you leave?" Rome’s voice was quiet, but not quiet enough to escape my ears. "Do you have any idea how worried I was? How worried your mom’s family was? You shouldn’t have left like that. I could’ve explained everything to you... if you had just stayed a little longer."

"B-but Mom said... you wouldn’t come home anymore... that I wouldn’t see you again if you still pushed through with the divorce..." Gabriel’s voice trembled.

"Dad, I don’t want that to happen. I want to stay with you instead of Mom..."

I saw the way Rome’s expression softened at those words. But the moment he seemed to notice the eyes watching him—his face shifted back into its usual stoic mask.

"Gabriel. There are things that just can’t happen, even if we want them to. But I promise you—I’ll always be by your side. I’ll always be your number one supporter. So don’t believe your mom when she says you’ll never see me again. I won’t let that happen."

"Okay, Dad... I believe you..." Gabriel whispered back, nodding slowly.

I looked away, feeling like I was intruding on something I shouldn’t be hearing. My gaze shifted to the four men standing behind Rome.

Once again, they all looked away—as if they couldn’t meet my eyes.

What are they even doing here if they were just going to stand there and do nothing?

I shot them a sharp glare. I wanted to yell at them. But Rome was still here, and I needed to keep my temper in check. Just for now.

"Sylvia..."

Rome’s voice caught me off guard. I looked at him. His expression had softened a bit.

He was carrying Gabriel in his arms, the boy’s eyes still red and his cheeks streaked with tears.

He must’ve cried when he saw his dad. What a heartwarming moment for them.

I should be happy for him. But I couldn’t force myself to smile. I didn’t know why—but I felt stiff, as if I were holding back emotions I didn’t even understand.

"...Thank you for taking care of Gabriel. And I apologize for the trouble today," Rome said. "To show my gratitude... you can name your price for looking after him."

Just like that, his expression went cold again.

I clenched my fists tightly. Calm down, Sylvia. Just calm down. This man is still the same arrogant jerk he’s always been—I shouldn’t let him get under my skin.

Does he really think I took care of Gabriel and let him stay in my home because I knew he was his father?

"I don’t need your money, Mr. Hariston."

I forced a smile, though it came out sarcastic. I couldn’t help it.

"I didn’t take Gabriel in because I expected to be paid for the kindness and care I gave him. I have no intention of getting paid for his stay. What I do want, though, is a small favor from you."

Rome raised a brow.

"What is it? A new house, perhaps?" he asked casually, glancing around my place. "This place looks like it could collapse any minute—"

"No. That’s not it." I cut him off, gritting my teeth.

Was that supposed to be a joke? Or an insult?

"My house has nothing to do with what I’m asking from you. What I want... is for you to never show up at my doorstep again. And more importantly—take care of your son. A child needs love and care from their parents too. If you can’t give him that, then you don’t deserve to be called a father."

Rome froze. For a moment, silence filled the air. I could hear his friends behind me gasp in shock.

Gabriel’s eyes darted between the two of us. He probably didn’t expect me to speak to his father that way.

"D-Dad... don’t misunderstand Miss Sylvia... she’s probably just worried about me—"

But Rome’s cold voice cut through Gabriel’s attempt to defend me.

"I understand perfectly well, Ms. Lincolm," he said tightly. "And as a father, I do know my responsibilities. Unlike some people I know... who run away without a word—disappearing when I needed them most."

His eyes bore into mine, his jaw clenched.

"I’m not that kind of person. I would never run away from my responsibilities—especially not from Gabriel."

What did he mean by that? Was he... referring to me?

But I didn’t run away.

I left because I’d had enough—because a man like him doesn’t know how to love.

He only wanted me around because he thought I was some kind of toy he could play with whenever he pleased.

"Anyway, we’re going," he said flatly. "If you don’t want the money, then fine. I’ll take your advice—even if it’s unnecessary—because I no longer have any reason to come here."

He turned his back and walked toward the door.

Just as they stepped out, I heard Gabriel’s voice light up.

"Uncles? I didn’t know you were here too! Did you come for me?"

"We’re just glad you’re safe, Gabriel. We were really worried about you. Please don’t ever do something like this again, okay?"

"Yes, Uncle Alpheus"

"Tch. Let’s go home now, Gabriel." I heard Rome mutter.

I clenched my fists again and pressed a hand to my chest.

Finally. They’re leaving.

The weight that had been sitting heavily on my chest ever since they showed up was finally about to lift.

I shouldn’t have to worry anymore.

Or at least, that’s what I thought... until I heard Gabriel’s voice.

"D-Daddy... can I... can I say goodbye first before we leave?"

I felt the air shift.

Even Rome paused—and so did his friends.