A sharp gasp escaped my mother as she reached for him, her eyes glistening with fresh tears. He shook his head, one hand raking through his hair as he muttered, “A son…”
The word hung in the air, heavy and raw. It took a moment to realize what he’d said—a slip that revealed more than he’d intended. My heart clenched painfully, and before I knew it, I was reaching for him. He pulled me into his arms, holding me as if he could protect me from everything with sheer willpower. My mother joined us, her warmth anchoring me as she pressed a kiss to my hair.
“I’m fine,” I whispered, though my voice broke under the weight of the moment. “I’ll be fine.”
They didn’t look convinced, their eyes searching mine for something—anything—that could reassure them. I could see the exhaustion etched into the
