Paris walked beside me. She looked up at me but still didn't say a thing. Egypt stayed close, her small fingers wrapped around mine, her thumb rubbing circles into my skin the way she always did when she was nervous.
Cairo barely stirred, his breathing even against my shoulder, completely unaware that the man standing outside had just turned my world upside down again.
I didn't speak. I just gathered my strength before forcing a smile at them, as if nothing had happened, and sat down on the sofa first before carefully lowering Cairo from my arms.
"Go sit on the couch," I murmured gently. "Mom will just get you some water."
I smiled again and turned back to the two of them, who were still watching me closely.
Paris hesitated, her eyes lifting to my face— searching. I brushed her hair back softly, forcing a smile that felt foreign on my lips.
"It's okay… uh, let's just forget everything that happened." I assured her, even though I wasn't sure if that was the right thing to say.
