Chapter 17

“Yeahhhh!! I can go back now!” Fastian’s voice echoed through the corridor, bursting with relief and joy as if the weight of the entire hospital suddenly disappeared from his small shoulders. Fosbein and Fahnareeh instantly followed him, their equally excited cheers blending together like a chorus that made the nurses passing by smile.

Becky’s heart softened. She reached out and gently stroked Fastian’s head, smoothing down his slightly messy hair, letting her touch linger the way only a mother’s touch could. Then she lifted her eyes to Freen. “What did the doctor say?” she asked quietly, her voice calm but lined with worry.

Freen inhaled deeply and explained everything,every instruction, every reminder, every caution. She speaking slowly and clearly, as if she wanted to make sure Becky wouldn’t miss a single detail. Becky nodded along, more to reassure herself than Freen, absorbing the information even while her thoughts tangled themselves with fear and relief.

“Mommy, let’s go home,” Fastian said again, tugging Becky’s sleeve with the impatience of someone who had been waiting far too long.

“Alright,” Becky said softly. “Let mommy pack your things and your siblings’ things first.”

She moved efficiently yet carefully, placing each child’s belongings into their individual bags, making sure nothing was left behind. “Nareeh, Rox, each of you carry your own bags. Mommy will take the luggages.”

The triplets obediently lifted their backpacks, though the straps kept sliding down their tiny shoulders.

Becky tried carrying all three miniature rolling luggages at once, but the handles tangled, knocking against her knees with every step she attempted.

Freen noticed immediately. She stepped closer without a word, her hand brushing Becky’s lightly as she took two of the small suitcases from her. “Let me help you. You’ll struggle if you walk with all that.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Freen replied, her lips curving into a faint.

The group descended into the parking lot, their footsteps echoing softly. The air was cooler there, and the triplets turned their heads left and right, scanning the empty space with searching eyes, almost as if expecting someone to jump out from behind a car.

“Mommy,” Fosbein asked with a little frown, “where is Uncle Ayon?”

“He will come later. Be patient,” Becky said, ruffling his hair as she always did when he worried too much.

“Let me send you and the triplets home,” Freen offered suddenly, her tone gentle but steady.

“N..” Becky started to refuse, but she didn’t even get to finish.

“Let’s go, Aunt Freen!” Fahnareeh interrupted happily, grabbing Freen’s hand without thinking twice.

Becky sighed. With her daughter clinging to Freen like that, she couldn’t say no now. She nodded silently.

Freen guided the children toward the car, opening the door for each of them and buckling their seatbelts carefully as if they were delicate treasures. Becky seated herself in the front passenger seat, her eyes occasionally drifting to the backseat where the triplets were humming.

“Tell me your address,” Freen said as she turned on the engine.

Becky typed it on her phone and showed the screen.

“Oh… it’s pretty close to the triplets’ kindergarten,” Freen said, a hint of surprise coloring her voice.

The drive was peaceful. Children’s songs played softly through the speakers those simple, cheerful melodies that somehow made the world feel lighter. The triplets sang along with those imperfect, adorable voices only young children possess, sometimes singing the wrong words, sometimes singing louder than the music, but always with so much joy that Becky couldn’t help smiling.

When they arrived, the car rolled to a gentle stop. Becky got out first, followed by Freen who opened the back door for the triplets as they scrambled out with their backpacks bouncing.

“Thank you. You can go home now,” Becky said politely, trying to keep her tone neutral.

But the triplets didn’t move. They simply stood there, staring at Freen with hopeful eyes that could melt anyone’s heart.

“Aunt Freen, you can play with us first before you go home! We have many toys,” Fahnareeh said excitedly.

“Nareeh,” Becky warned gently, “Aunt Freen is busy. She has to work.”

“Oh…” Fahnareeh’s smile faded into a tiny pout.

“Inside, all of you,” Becky instructed softly.

The triplets finally walked into the house. The moment Becky heard the soft clicking of their feet fading into the hallway, she closed the main door behind her and exhaled. She didn’t want them overhearing anything they shouldn’t.

Freen remained standing outside. When Becky turned to her, Freen’s expression carried a softness that seemed both sincere and fragile.

“Can I come if I miss you and our triplets?” Freen asked suddenly, her voice a whisper but firm with longing.

“Freen…” Becky’s voice cracked slightly. “I’m not stopping you from seeing them. But please, don’t tell them the truth yet. And don’t get too close to me.”

“Why?” Freen stepped closer, her eyes searching Becky’s. “If I don’t get close to you, how am I supposed to chase you?”

“You don’t need to chase me,” Becky replied, her tone turning cold despite the ache beneath it. “I don’t love you anymore. Isn’t it enough that I let you meet them? Don’t ask for more.”

“Becky…” Freen reached out and gently touched her arm. “I want us to build a new life with the triplets. Together.”

Becky laughed, but it wasn’t a laugh of joy. It was bitter, sharp. “Wow, Freen. You talk like it’s the easiest thing in the world.”

“You didn’t tell me to stop chasing you yesterday at the hospital,” Freen pressed.

“Since when did I ever agree to be chased by you?” Becky snapped softly. “I only talked about custody. That’s all.”

Before either of them could say anything else..

“Heeeyyy!!” a loud voice cut through the tension.

Fay approached with big steps, followed by Lisa and Sana who looked just as shocked. “Why are you here?” Fay demanded.

“Go home, Freen,” Becky muttered tiredly.

Once Freen left, Becky invited her friends inside and shut the door firmly, as if sealing away the previous conversation.

In the living room, the four women sat together. Becky dropped onto the couch, leaning back and raising her chin slightly as if preparing for judgment.

“Explain,” Sana said with her arms crossed.

“Don’t tell me you’re back with her,” Fay added immediately, narrowing her eyes accusingly.

“It’s not what you think,” Becky replied, then told them everything that had happened from the hospital to the car ride to the doorstep.

“So what do you want to do now?” Lisa asked.

“I don’t know,” Becky admitted, rubbing her forehead.

“Well, I have a brilliant idea,” Fay said proudly, “so she won’t disturb you anymore.”

All three women stared at her.

“Are you crazy, Fay?” Becky asked.

“Will it work?” Sana raised a brow.

“It will… if Becky opens her heart to someone else,” Fay declared with confidence.

“If the person you choose doesn’t like my children, your plan won’t work,” Becky warned. “They’re everything to me.”

“Trust me,” Fay said, tapping her chest.

“Fine. I’ll help choose the candidate tomorrow,” Lisa chimed in.

“Same here,” Sana added.

“Do whatever you all want. I’m tired,” Becky sighed. She stood but then stopped mid-step.

“Huh? Didn’t you want to rest earlier?” Fay questioned.

“I need to check the triplets first,” Becky replied, her voice softening.

She walked toward the kitchen where the triplets were gathered at the counter, munching on cut fruits.

“What are you three doing?” Becky asked warmly.

“Here, Mommy,” Fahnareeh said, raising a fruit piece to Becky’s lips to feed her gently.

“Are you hungry?” Becky asked.

“No,” Fosbein said. “We just want to eat fruits.”

“Oh… alright,” Becky nodded. “If you want anything, call your aunties. They’re in the living room.”

The triplets nodded obediently.

“Tian, don’t be too active,” Becky said, brushing Fastian’s hair aside. “Mommy doesn’t want you hurt again.”

“Aip aip, captain!” Fastian saluted, grinning mischievously.

Becky smiled and asked her friends to keep an eye on the triplets as the long day finally began to settle in her bones.