Ray paced around his room, unable to sit still.
His conversation with Miria the day before kept running through his head.
—Who was that voice...? he whispered, running a hand through his hair.
He saw the scene again: Miria, distant, tired... and this male voice very close to her.
—Is there anyone else...?
He felt his heart tighten. He wanted to look for a reasonable explanation... but none came.
---
The next morning, Asher's house was silent.
Miria, Alix and Kira were getting ready for school when there was a knock at the door.
"I'm going," said Alix.
She opened… and remained frozen.
—Eiden?!
Kira tensed instantly, her muscles stiff, her eyes cold.
—What are you doing here? she asked in a dry, almost threatening tone.
But before Eiden could respond, a small head popped out from behind him.
- Mom ?
Kira turned pale.
—Ikan…
The little seven-year-old boy stepped forward timidly.
Her silver hair, mid-length and slightly tousled with pastel highlights.
His eyes—an impossible mix of icy blue and golden amber—were large, bright, already moist.
—Mom… is it true that… you and dad… you don't get along anymore…? he asked in a broken voice.
Kira immediately knelt down, her hands trembling.
— No, my angel… it's just that dad pissed off mom a little, and… mom punished him. That's all.
— So... how long does the punishment last? How long... will we be apart...? he stammered before his voice broke.
— Ikan... listen...
— NO! You… you're lying to me…!
His breathing hitched. The vase on the small table suddenly burst, pulverized under the force of his emotion.
"Ikan… big guy, calm down," Eiden whispered, taking him gently by the shoulders.
But the child was sobbing, trembling, the tears rolling without stopping.
It was then that another presence arrived.
Asher.
He came closer, took Ikan in his arms with disarming gentleness, cradling him against him.
— Hey, kid… breathe. Everything is fine...I'm here.
Ikan clung to him like a buoy.
When Kira moved forward, Asher raised his hand—calm, but firm.
- No.
Until you two... make up, neither of you will approach him.
Silence fell like a cleaver.
"Asher…" Eiden protested weakly.
- No. It's my decision. And I'm sticking to it.
Without another word, he went up the stairs with the child.
Kira stared after him, devastated.
Eiden seemed empty, hurt but resigned.
He finally whispers:
—I...I'm going to leave.
He turned towards the door.
— Eiden… wait.
He stopped.
Kira looked down, then asked:
—Why...why did you bring him here?
Eiden took a deep breath.
— It's him. He insisted on seeing you. I'm not going to... bother you any more.
He gave her one last sad look, then left.
---
Later, Miria and Alix were walking towards the school.
Kira's absence weighed heavily.
Miria was the first to speak.
— Alix... Kira has... a son?
- Yes.
— But... why didn't anyone tell me anything?
Alix sighed softly.
— Miria… it's not against you. It's just... complicated.
"Just like…the relationship between Kira and the father of her child, I suppose.
— Yes…exactly.
And if you really want to understand... it's better that you ask her.
Miria nodded thoughtfully.