Rome's gaze didn't waver from Egypt. For a long moment, he simply looked at her softly, as if he were afraid that even something as small as the wrong expression might shatter her.
Then, just for a second, he glanced at me. It wasn't obvious. Anyone else might have missed it. But I didn't. There was a question in that look. A silent ask for permission… or maybe support.
My chest tightened, but I nodded.
That was all it took.
He looked back at Egypt.
"…Yes." he said at last.
His voice was low and steady but beneath it, there was something unfamiliar. Something fragile. Was he nervous?
"I'm your father."
Silence swallowed the room whole.
Egypt didn't move.
She just stared at him, her eyes searching his face, as if she was trying to find something that would make this make sense.
"…Father?…" she whispered faintly, shaking her head once.
Her voice faltered. Slowly, she turned to me.
"Mom…?"
There was confusion in her eyes.
