Each wife shook her head as realization dawned. Serena's eyes filled; Layla's expression slipped; Natalie clutched her chest. Lucy covered her mouth. Stella blinked, stunned. Emma stared at Sophie. Grace closed her hands into fists.
Grace murmured, voice soft and faraway. "Our children… we carried them."
They all looked at Jude. He lowered his gaze. "I forgot what real was for a moment. I forgot this island was silent."
The weight of absence pressed in. Not a single child's laughter; no sign of travelers; no temple skeleton of twitching glyphs. The island was still. The wives gathered around Jude and Sophie, tears slipping silently down their cheeks.
Sophie swallowed hard. "I'm sorry. But maybe… maybe the dream means something? Our hearts want that world. Maybe we can build something. Even without children, we can still learn watcher script. We can still plant gardens, carve symbolism."