Fear in her eyes

Alexander’s POV

I glance over at Roy, his eyes still locked ahead, like he’s staring at something already lost to time.

“Sorry for your loss,” I say quietly.

He snaps out of it too fast, clearing his throat and muttering, “Thanks.”

Then he does something strange—he places a soft smile on his face. It doesn’t quite reach his eyes, but it’s there as he turns to look at me.

“That’s why I couldn’t help it… when you came to me asking to be part of the kids’ life,” he says, his voice low, but steady. “Because I get it. I really do. That feeling—regret, loneliness, not knowing if you’d ever get a chance to be with them, especially after learning they exist? I’ve lived it.”

He pauses. I watch him.

“I regretted not having time with my own dad. If he’d been given the chance to be part of our lives… maybe I’d have more memories with him. More time. But death took that away before I even understood what time meant.”

I listen. And for once, I don’t know w