It was as if time stood still. The bustling market around us faded into the background, the chatter and laughter becoming a distant hum. I could see Mark’s mind racing, trying to piece together the puzzle standing before him. Emily squeezed his hand, grounding him back to the moment. Her eyes darted between Jacob and me, and I knew she was silently calculating the timeline.

“You have a son?” she finally asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

I nodded, choosing my words carefully. “Yes, I have a son.”