Winona stood as if paralyzed where she was, but she never loosened her grip on her son's hand. She held him tightly, even though she couldn't seem to breathe properly. As she looked into Ares' eyes, which were brimming with a mixture of anger and pain, a deep weakness washed over her. Winona's mouth parted, suggesting a rush of words, but not a single sound escaped until Jackson spoke, bringing her abruptly back to reality.

"Mom, what's he talking about? Is he my dad?" The little boy's voice, ...