Adam stood, heart racing, as he watched Robert and Anastasia exchange glances.
Their faces carried a mix of surprise and reflection, as though they were silently navigating the weight of his recent confession.
He had told them the truth—his hidden self, the secrets he had been protecting, and for the first time, felt as though he was at the mercy of another.
Adam's eyes shifted to Lily, who, though silent, was standing with him.
Her presence was steady, almost comforting. Despite her usual aloofness, it was clear she understood the weight of the moment.
With a deep sigh, Robert broke the silence. He stepped closer to Adam, his eyes warm with a parental tenderness that made Adam's throat tighten.
"The day you came to us," Robert began, his voice a gentle rumble, "we felt like you belonged. Like you were meant to be a part of this family. Families fight sometimes, Adam, but that doesn't mean we stop being a family."
