Kevan's seriousness made Larissa feel more panicked than ever. Clutching at the sheets tightly, Larissa asked so softly that she almost could not be heard, "Talk … about what?"

Kevan did not give her the chance to escape this. "Aster."

What was meant to come had come in the end.

Closing her eyes, Larissa took a deep breath and tried to calm her pounding heart.

"You're mistaken," she said. "Aster is not your son." This was the only way that would prevent her from thinking further into it.

"T