Chapter 167

“How did you get into my mommy’s room?” he asked slowly. “She always locks the door before bed. Always.” Daimon knelt to meet his son's gaze. “Joxan… there’s something I need to explain to you. Something important.” He had wanted to wait, to give the children time, to ease into the truth. But seeing them—seeing how much they'd endured alone—made it impossible to stay silent any longer. Joxan tilted his head slightly, his mouth twisting into a bitter little smile. “You’re going to say you’re my dad, aren’t you?” Daimon froze. “You already know?” “Why wouldn’t I?” Joxan’s voice was steady, but carried the weight of far too much. “Even though Mommy tried to hide it from me, and my father didn’t want me to find out either, I still did. Mommy has been checking your name online for as long as I can remember. And besides…” He gestured toward his own face. “Look at me. Anyone with eyes could tell.” Daimon let out a long breath, somewhere between a sigh and a disbelieving laugh. The resemblance