His arms wrapped around me before my mind could catch up.
Warm.
Solid.
Real.
But my body didn't relax.
It stiffened.
Remained frigid and confused.
Because as comforting as the embrace should have been, something inside me recoiled.
Slowly, carefully, I pushed against his chest.
"Wait," I said, breath uneven. "No."
He froze instantly.
Not offended.
Not angry.
Just… startled and ….. lost.
I stepped back, my heart pounding violently against my ribs.
"I know who you are," I said quickly, panic threading my words together. "You're Aiden. I recognize you. I saw your painting. I felt it the moment I looked at it. You're my uncle, aren't you?"
His smile faltered.
"But you're not my father," I continued, firmer now, grounding myself in the truth I knew. "My father was Bale. Whether he was a monster or not, whether he lied or not…. that's who raised me. That's who-
My voice cracked despite myself.
"That's who everyone said he was."
And it was true.
