But my steps halted—my heart leaping out of my chest in sudden fear.
Roman was trying to climb the tree too, attempting to bring Roey down. It was a sight I never imagined.
"Mom!" Reece shouted because I was lagging far behind.
But my feet felt heavy. If I approached the crowd, Roman would know they were my children.
Instinctively, I turned around.
Logic screamed at me to turn back and check on Roey, who had just been helped down by Roman. But the feeling of the need to keep my children hidden from him won over.
Roey wasn't crying, so he must be fine. That was what I clung to as I jogged away to hide.
Faintly, I heard Reece calling for me. I would atone to them later, but right now, I couldn't let Roman find out.
I grabbed the side wall of the building and panted as I leaned on it like a thief terrified of being caught.
