The room went utterly silent, only the sound of Kayden's sharp inhale and Thaddeus's heartbeat filling the air.
Kayden's mother's hand trembled on the doorknob, and Ryland's eyes widened.
For a moment, no one spoke. The air was thick, heavy, suffocating.
"Thaddeus…" Ryland's voice came out low, strained, trembling with both anger and heartbreak. "You…"
"Dad…" Kayden began quickly, his voice desperate, "Please, it's not what you think…"
Ryland cut him off sharply. "Not what I think? You call that…" he pointed toward them, his hand shaking "not what I think?"
Thaddeus stood slowly, his expression calm but his heart pounding. "Ryland, please…"
"Don't!" Ryland snapped. "Don't you dare call my name like that. I trusted you, Thaddeus! You were supposed to be his guardian, not…" He stopped himself, pressing his fingers to his temple as his chest rose and fell rapidly.
Kayden's mother reached out and touched his arm gently. "Ryland, please, calm down first."
