12. Broken Bonds

Sophia felt a sudden rush of sweat as the room grew uncomfortably warm, and his intense gaze remained locked on her eyes.

She finally mustered the courage to ask, "How do you know about the twins?"

"I searched for you, Sophia," he admitted, his eyes revealing regret and longing. "You weren't in the country, or else I would have found you. I learned about them after your return."

"How long have you known?" Sophia's voice trembled, her clenched fists betraying her emotions. The fact that he had known about Aiden and Adeline all this time, yet never reached out, infuriated her.

"I knew about the twins from the moment you set foot back in the country," Alex confessed through clenched teeth. "It's been three years. I spotted you and the twins, but I couldn't bring myself to reveal my presence. There were...complications."

"Can I meet them?" Alex asked, his pale green eyes bore into her, his voice low - his gaze dropping briefly before locking onto Sophia's face, even behind her mask, recog