CHAPTER 145: LINCOLM FAMILY

"I... I don’t know..." was all I managed to say before looking away from Sylvester.

"I tried my best to be the mom he needed the most, b-but this still happened..."

Silence lingered between us, heavy and thick, the kind that made every breath feel louder than it should.

I could still feel his gaze on me, steady yet unreadable, but I refused to meet his eyes.

A moment later, Sylvester quietly stood up and walked over to the other side of the bed, taking a seat beside Cairo. He gently took Cairo’s small hand in his and began softly stroking his forehead.

I didn’t stop him—I could feel he was worried about Cairo too.

"I already told Dad and Stephenson about what happened to Cairo today," he said in a low voice. "They’re already on their way here."

My eyes widened, a rush of disbelief and annoyance rising in my chest. My hands clenched tightly against my lap.

"W–why did you do that? Sylvester, why did you have to bring them here?" My voice trembled.

He looked at me, his tone softening but his gaze firm. "They’re worried about Cairo too, Sylvia. They love him and deeply care for him as family. Whether you like it or not, you can’t stop them from coming."

"Are you serious right now?" I snapped, my voice rising. "You know I don’t want my kids getting involved with your family! Why would you tell them—"

But before I could finish, both of us froze when a soft knock echoed from the door. A moment later, it opened slightly and Egypt peeked inside, Paris standing right behind her.

"Mommy... can we come in?" Egypt asked softly.

Sylvester and I exchanged a brief glance.

I hesitated, unsure if it was a good idea to let them in while Sylvester was still here. But before I could answer, Paris had already stepped forward, walking straight into the room.

"Mommy, how’s Cairo?" she asked, worry evident in her eyes.

"H-he’s fine..." I said quietly, realizing there was no way to stop them as I could clearly see the concern written on their faces.

Egypt followed her sister, and behind them came Dave. He gave me a polite nod before entering, but the moment his eyes landed on Sylvester, his expression faltered, clearly not expecting to see him there.

"M–Mr. Lincolm... you’re also here?" Dave said, glancing between the two of us, his confusion obvious. Then something shifted in his expression, an almost imperceptible flicker of realization as his gaze lingered on me, then on Sylvester again.

Sylvester calmly stood up and turned to him with a faint smile. "Mr. Dave. I didn’t know I’d see you here, visiting my nephew."

My stomach dropped. Nephew?

Dave blinked. "N-nephew?" he echoed, his eyes drifting toward Cairo, who was still lying unconscious on the bed.

His expression changed, his pupils widened slightly, his breathing hitched as if he was beginning to piece things together.

I wanted to block his view, to stop him from realizing more but it was already too late. His gaze turned to me, and I could see the flood of questions in his eyes.

"Yes," Sylvester continued. "Sylvia here is my sister... which makes her son my nephew."

I shot him a sharp glare, silently begging him to stop talking, because the shock in Dave’s expression only deepened but Sylvester ignored me completely. Instead, he shifted his gaze toward Paris and Egypt, who had both moved closer to my side.

Egypt looked confused, while Paris glanced between us, her brows furrowed slightly as if trying to make sense of what Sylvester just said.

I swallowed hard, feeling my heart race as the tension in the room thickened.

"Mom...?"

Egypt murmured as she looked at me, then shifted her gaze toward Sylvester. "W-who is he, Mom?"

My hands began to tremble. I could feel the coldness creeping into my fingertips as I struggled to find my voice, but nothing came out.

My throat tightened, choked by fear. Before I could say anything, Sylvester stepped in, smiling gently at Egypt as if he had been waiting for this exact moment.

"H-hello, baby girl," he said softly, his tone sweet and careful. "Are you my niece, Paris? It’s the first time we’ve met, but I can already tell you’re just as beautiful and enchanting as Paris. And I’m Sylvester, your mom’s older brother... right, Sylvia?"

I stiffened, glaring at him silently, but he just looked away as if already expecting my reaction.

He kept that calm, almost practiced expression, as though he had anticipated this moment.

"I-I’m not Paris," Egypt replied shyly, shaking her head. "My name’s Egypt Lincolm. She’s Paris—my sister."

She pointed toward Paris who was standing quietly beside her, her cool eyes locked on Sylvester’s face.

I noticed the faint shift in Sylvester’s expression, the brief falter of his smile before he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Ah, I see..." he said with a small chuckle, crouching down to their level.

But as soon as he moved closer, both Egypt and Paris immediately stepped back, clutching the hem of my blouse and holding my hands tightly.

"I’m sorry," Sylvester said gently, his voice patient and warm. "Please forgive this uncle. You two just look so much alike that I couldn’t tell who’s who. You’re both pretty and cute—just like your mom when she was your age. Egypt, you look exactly like her when she was little."

Paris and Egypt exchanged glances, their brows knitting slightly.

"R-really? We look like Mom?" Egypt asked, tilting her head.

"But everyone says we don’t look like her at all." Paris added quietly.

My breath caught in my chest as I glanced at Sylvester, who only smiled again.

"Well, maybe those people just don’t see what I see," he said softly, his gaze flickering toward me for a brief moment before settling back on the two of them. "You both have her eyes—the same way they light up when you talk. And I can tell you’ve inherited her courage too. It’s... hard not to notice it."

Paris blinked up at him, studying his face as though trying to understand him. Egypt, on the other hand, turned to me and tugged on my sleeve.

"Mommy," she whispered, "is he really your brother?"

My heart clenched painfully.

My lips parted, but before I could answer, Dave cleared his throat softly, breaking the silence.

"Ehem... I think it would be best if I step outside for a bit. Sylvester. Sylvia."

His gaze lingered on me a little longer, as if silently telling me you owe me an explanation even though I knew I didn’t.

"Later... let’s talk" he mouthed soundlessly before nodding once and heading toward the door.

A long, heavy silence filled the room after he left. Sylvester was the first to recover, glancing at the girls with a small smile before turning back to me.

"I didn’t know you knew Dave," he said casually, though there was a sharpness behind his tone. "Is he the one who brought Cairo here to the hospital?"

I didn’t answer. I could feel his eyes on me, searching for an answer but I just stayed silent, my fingers brushing Cairo’s small hand under the blanket.

After a moment, Sylvester sighed softly and stood up before smiling gently at the kids.

"Before I forget—it’s your birthday today, right? Happy birthday, Egypt and Paris.." he said warmly, careful as though he were afraid to say the wrong thing.

He tried to sound sweet, but the twins simply looked at him—curious yet cautious—their small faces blank as they studied the stranger calling himself their uncle.

Sylvester let out a quiet, awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck in an attempt to lighten the mood. His eyes soon drifted to the Barbie doll Egypt was holding, the same one she had received earlier from one of Rome’s friends.

"I actually prepared gifts for both of you," he continued, offering a shy smile. "But I haven’t had the chance to pick them up yet... and honestly, I didn’t even know how to give them to you. This uncle feels a little embarrassed—knowing I didn’t get to see you grow up this beautifully."

"Ehem."

I cleared my throat sharply, cutting off whatever he was about to say next.

"Kids, do you mind staying here with Cairo for a bit? I just need to talk to your uncle outside, okay?"

Paris was the first to nod, her small hand brushing against Cairo’s arm as she looked up at me.

"Okay, Mom. We’ll watch over Cairo until he gets better."

"Thank you, sweetheart." I forced a faint smile, my voice trembling slightly despite my effort to sound composed. "We won’t be long."

"Let’s go, Sylvester."

I placed a hand on Sylvester’s arm and guided him toward the door. My grip was steady and my heart pounding with everything I wanted—and didn’t want—to say.

But just as we reached the doorway, the door slowly swung open.

The sound made me flinch. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes widened, and for a moment, the entire room felt still.

Two figures stood by the doorway, looking just as shocked as I was.

"S-Sylvia..."

And I... I wasn’t ready to face them either.