Ezra physically froze.
"What?" he asks, just in case he heard it wrong.
His heart immediately jumped into his throat.
He had to calm down.
Had to stay calm.
Because maybe he misunderstood.
Maybe Love meant something else entirely.
Maybe she was simply talking about Kaelis being fond of Lior.
Because how could she possibly know?
She couldn't know.
Right?
'She can't know.'
But to Ezra's dismay, Love continued smiling at him.
Not mockingly.
Not smugly.
Just knowingly.
And somehow that made it worse.
"Captain, I practically helped raise Kaelis," Love says gently. "I've seen him from the time he was just a baby until now as an adult. I would know right away if he had a child, especially if it resembles him that much."
Ezra's entire body went rigid.
Love turns to look at Lior.
The child was still busy at the table, completely oblivious to the life-changing conversation happening behind him.
