Chapter 11

“No one sells Daddy at the mall, Tian. A daddy should be found, not bought.”

“Means?” Fastian tilted his head, his small brows knitting together in confusion.

Becky paused, her lips pressing into a thin line as she tried to shape the right words. How could she explain something so complicated to such a young heart? Finally, she reached out and brushed his hair back gently. “You’ll understand when you grow up, sweetheart.”

Before Fastian could ask again, Fahnareeh piped up brightly, “Mommy, we’re going to school now. Bye, Mommy. Bye, Tian!”

“Bye, Mommy and Tian,” Fosbein added, waving his little hand.

“Bye, Nareeh and Rox. I love both of you,” Becky replied, her voice soft but full of warmth.

“Love you too, Mommy,” Fosbein said, his tiny voice carrying more sincerity than he knew.

Fahnareeh blew Becky a flying kiss, which Becky dramatically caught and pressed against her heart with a smile.

–

When they arrived at kindergarten, the cheerful morning suddenly shifted. Both children froze when they spotted Prawit standing beside a woman who is Freen.

Fosbein narrowed his eyes immediately, suspicion flashing across his small face.

Fahnareeh dashed toward them. “It’s you! Why are you here? Do you want to bully and scold us again?”

Freen blinked, startled. She wore large glasses and a mask, concealing most of her face. She hadn’t expected such hostility from a little girl who didn’t even recognize her.

Fosbein rushed to his sister’s side, pulling her arm firmly. “Hey! If that person is mean, don’t go near them. Have you forgotten what Mommy always tells us?” His voice, though still childish, carried a seriousness that belonged to someone much older.

“Sorry,” Fahnareeh mumbled, her eyes falling to the ground.

Fosbein shook his head, disappointment clear in his gaze.

“You cannot bully us. This is school,” Fahnareeh said proudly, lifting her chin. “School is a safe place, just like our home.”

“What are you talking about?” Freen asked, confused.

Fosbein narrowed his eyes, his head tilting as though studying her voice. “Your voice… it’s like Aunt Freen’s. Are you Aunt Freen?”

Freen hesitated, then slowly lowered her mask.

Both children gasped.

“I hate you,” Fosbein said sharply. But then his lips pressed into a firm line before he added, “But thank you… for helping Tian yesterday.”

“I hate you too, Aunt Freen,” Fahnareeh declared with surprising fierceness. “You bullied us before.”

“Let’s go to class,” Fosbein urged, pulling his sister’s hand. Fahnareeh gave Freen one last glare before chirping a cheerful “goodbye” and running off.

Freen let out a long, quiet breath. Without another word, she turned to Prawit. “Let’s go inside.” Her voice was calm but heavy, and once her task was done, she made her way to Namtan’s house, forced by her cousin to drop Prawit off along with Mavin.

–

At Namtan’s doorstep, Freen jabbed the doorbell relentlessly until the door swung open with a sharp creak.

“What the heck, Freen Sarocha Chankimha?!” Namtan’s hair was a mess, her face twisted in irritation. “Do you want to break my doorbell?”

Ignoring the scolding, Freen stepped inside uninvited, heading straight for the living room. Namtan followed, arms crossed.

“I want the results from your investigation,” Freen demanded, her voice low and firm.

“Are you serious right now?”

“I already gave you one day,” Freen shot back, her tone cutting.

Namtan threw her hands up. “You told me this morning! And for your information, in my life dictionary, when someone gives me a timeframe, that day doesn’t count! Do you not understand the brilliance of my life dictionary, Freen?”

“I don’t care about your ridiculous dictionary,” Freen snapped. “I want the results.”

Namtan groaned. “Fine, fine. Tomorrow morning the file will be on your desk, I promise.”

“Good. If it isn’t, don’t even dream about getting that new sports car from me.”

“I know, Freen,” Namtan muttered, rolling her eyes.

“Then hurry up. Do your job quickly !,” Freen didn’t waste another second before storming out, heading directly to her company.

–

Meanwhile, Becky friends arrived, carrying handmade crafts to brighten the boy’s day.

“Hello, Tian!” Sana greeted warmly.

“Aunt Sana!” Fastian beamed, hugging her legs.

Before Sana could respond, Fay scooped him into her arms. “Handsome boy, you must hug me first before Aunt Sana!”

Sana smacked Fay’s shoulder playfully, while Lisa sat next to Becky, watching the scene unfold with amusement.

“Hey, Becky,” Lisa began, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “I want to know… what was Freen’s expression when she saw the triplets?”

Fay and Sana immediately stopped their playful bickering, though they still clung to Fastian, their ears perked for Becky’s reply.

“She looked… curious,” Becky said carefully.

“Curious?” Fay frowned. “How can she just be curious? Her face looks exactly like the triplets. It’s undeniable.”

“Maybe in her mind, that alone doesn’t guarantee they’re her children,” Sana reasoned softly.

Becky nodded slowly, her lips tightening.

“Don’t forgive her so easily, Becky,” Sana urged, her tone suddenly serious. “You’ve fought too hard to raise them alone.”

“She’s right,” Fay added firmly. “Don’t forget your struggle.”

“I know,” Becky answered confidently. “Don’t worry, I won’t forget.” She tilted her head slightly. “Aren’t you three supposed to be working right now?”

“We are working,” Fay said with a mischievous grin. “But before that, we wanted to come here first.”

“Oh… if that’s the case, I’ll tell Ayon to pick Nareeh and Rox up after class ends.”

“We can pick them up,” Lisa offered.

“No need. I want Ayon to handle them. You three can spoil them at night.”

“Alright, fair enough.”

They stayed for more than thirty minutes, laughing and playing with Fastian despite Becky’s repeated protests.

“Please go to work!” Becky finally exclaimed, exasperated.

“Calm down, Becky,” Lisa said, lounging comfortably beside Fastian, while Sana and Fay sprawled out too.

“Do you not remember that we’re the bosses?” Fay teased.

Becky rolled her eyes. “Do you want your staff to copy this lazy attitude of yours?”

“Of course not,” Sana admitted with a laugh.

“Then go to work.”

“Okay, Mom,” Fay teased again.

Becky flicked Fay’s forehead, earning a loud yelp of protest followed by laughter that filled the hospital room.