Chapter 78

Ramon POV

But then I’d seen Troy in the hallway leading to the bedrooms, when he’d thought he was alone. Seen the way he’d stopped and pressed his forehead against the wall, one hand splayed protectively over his stomach, his whole body trembling.

I’d almost gone to him. Almost said something. But then Julian had called for him—something about needing help with his pajamas—and Troy had straightened immediately. The mask had slammed back into place, and he’d headed toward his son’s voice with a bright smile and a cheerful response.

The rest of the evening had followed the same pattern. Troy had been perfectly normal on the surface—helping with baths, reading bedtime stories, chatting with the other adults. But I’d caught these little moments when he’d thought no one was watching. The way he’d held Sophia and Julian when he’d tucked them in, scenting them more thoroughly than usual, his face buried in their hair like he was trying to memorize them. The slight