The words landed like a blow.
"What?" Arin said.
"My brother?" he repeated, staring at Huldah like she'd lost her mind. "That's not funny."
No one laughed.
Arin stood completely still. For a moment, it looked like his body had forgotten how to move.
"My… brother?" he said finally, the words coming out slowly. "You're saying I have a brother?"
Ezekiel nodded. "Yes," he said. "Your twin."
Arin let out a short laugh that held no humor at all. "My twin," he repeated. "And I'm only hearing about this now?"
Arel shook his head. "Because they were ashamed," he said. "Because it was easier to erase me than it was to keep me."
Arin turned to his mother, she was still shaking so badly.
"Why was this kept from me? And why didn't we grow up together?"
Stella didn't answer. She stared at the floor, shedding tears without making a sound.
"Mother," Arin said again, but she said nothing.
Then he shouted her name.
"STELLA!"
She flinched like she'd been struck.
