Jey sat at the head of the table, fingers laced together, bouncing his knee under the surface. He wasn't nervous-not exactly. More like... uneasy.

Jimmy, Solo, and Roman sat across from him, their expressions varying degrees of curious and concerned. It wasn't often that Jey called a family meeting, especially not at some random diner off the highway.

"What's up, Uce?" Jimmy was the first to break the silence, leaning back in his chair. "You good?"

Jey exhaled, running a hand down his face. He had played this conversation out in his head a hundred times on the drive over, but now that he was here, the words felt stuck.

"I gotta tell y'all somethin'," he said, his voice rough.

Roman arched a brow, studying him. Solo, quiet as ever, just nodded, waiting.

Jey's stomach tightened. He had been in fights with these men. Had stood by them through battles in and out of the ring. They were his brothers-by blood and by bond. And yet, this felt harder than anything they had faced together.

"I got a son."

Silence.

Jimmy blinked first. "What?"

Jey exhaled sharply. "I got a son," he repeated. "His name's Malachi."

More silence.

Then-

"Damn," Jimmy muttered, sitting back. "You serious?"

Jey shot him a look. "You think I'd joke 'bout somethin' like this?"

Jimmy raised his hands in defense. "Nah, nah, I just-man, that's crazy."

Solo finally spoke, his deep voice even. "How old?"

Jey hesitated. "Five."

Roman, who had been quiet this whole time, suddenly shifted in his seat, his expression sharpening like a blade.

Jey knew that look. Roman had figured something out.

"Who's the mother?" Roman asked, his tone unreadable.

Jey opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Roman exhaled sharply, shaking his head like he already knew.

"Natalia Rivera."

Jey's stomach dropped.

Jimmy's head snapped toward Roman. "Wait, what? That Natalia?"

Jey clenched his jaw. "Yeah."

Jimmy let out a low whistle, running a hand down his face. "Damn, Uce. You really brought back a ghost with this one."

Solo, ever the quiet observer, simply nodded.

Roman, however, wasn't letting it go. His eyes were locked onto Jey's, intensity burning in them. "You're telling me Nati had your kid and didn't tell you for five years?"

Jey sighed, rubbing his temple. "She said she didn't wanna force me into it. Didn't wanna make me choose between him and my career."

Roman scoffed, shaking his head. "That ain't a choice, Jey. That's your son."

Jey bristled. "You think I don't know that?" His voice came out sharper than intended. "You think I'm not pissed? I just found out yesterday, man. I didn't get a damn say in any of this."

Roman leaned back, crossing his arms. "And what are you gonna do now?"

Jey swallowed, his throat dry. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I ain't running."

Something shifted in Roman's expression. He nodded, accepting that answer.

"That's all that matters," Solo said simply.

Jey looked around the table, at his brothers, at his family. He had no idea what the future held, but at least he wasn't facing it alone.

Jimmy smirked, shaking his head. "Man... Natalia Rivera. Of all the women in the world."

Jey rolled his eyes. "Don't start."

Roman, however, was still watching him carefully. "She was different for you." It wasn't a question-it was a fact.

Jey held his cousin's gaze. "She still is."

Silence settled over them, heavier than before. But this time, it wasn't uncertainty holding them down.

It was reality.

Jimmy grinned, finally breaking the tension. "Guess we got a new Uso to welcome to the family."

Jey chuckled, the weight in his chest easing just a little.

"Yeah," he murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Guess we do."