"Dad, are you okay? You look tired. You shouldn't push yourself too hard."
Sylvester's worried voice cut through Sergio's thoughts the moment they stepped out of Cairo's hospital room.
Sergio blinked, only then realizing that his eldest son had been subtly supporting him by the elbow as they walked.
"I'm fine."
He gently removed Sylvester's hand from his arm.
"I can still live a few more decades. Don't treat me like an old man." he joked lightly.
But Sylvester wasn't convinced.
"Dad, stop pretending. You've been trembling since earlier. You might fool Cairo, but I'm your son. I know you're not okay—especially after seeing Sylvia." His voice softened. "You miss her, don't you?"
Sergio froze.
The weakness he had been trying so hard to hide finally pressed down on him.
The look in Sylvia's eyes earlier… it wasn't the gaze of a child longing for her father's affection. It was the look of a daughter who wanted nothing to do with him.
