Chapter 136

The house felt unusually quiet that evening.

Not peaceful quiet.

Something had been taken away.

A tiny pair of socks sat abandoned near the couch. A small stuffed toy lay untouched on the floor. And in the middle of it all-

Ruby.

She stood frozen in the hallway like her whole world had just collapsed.

Earlier, she had been proudly announcing herself as “Captain Mandu.”

Now she looked like someone had declared war on her existence.

Across the room, Jennie Kim stood with her arms crossed, trying to keep a straight face. Beside her, Lisa already looked like she was suffering secondhand emotional damage.

Jennie spoke calmly.

“Ruby. Because you didn’t listen and threw juice at your classmate, your punishment is no cuddles tonight.”

Silence.

Then-

The world stopped.

Ruby’s tiny lips trembled.

“…No cuddles?”

Jennie nodded. “No cuddles.”

It hit instantly.

Ruby’s entire body wobbled like she’d been unplugged from life support.

“No…” she whispered, voice cracking. “Mommy… no cuddles…?”

Lisa physically gasped. “Jennie, that’s-“

Jennie held up a finger. “Don’t.”

Lisa immediately shut up, but her eyes were screaming this is emotional abuse to a mandu child.

Ruby slowly turned toward Jennie, eyes wide and glossy.

“Mommy Jennie… I said sorry…”

“I know,” Jennie said softer now, but still firm. “But you also need to learn.”

That made it worse.

Ruby’s lower lip quivered violently.

Then she did what she always did when the world was unfair-

She ran.

Right into Lisa’s arms.

“MAMA-” she cried, clinging for dear life. “SHE SAID NO CUDDLES!!”

Lisa instantly melted, wrapping her arms around her like a protective shield.

“I know, baby, I know,” Lisa whispered, rocking her gently. “Mama’s here.”

But Ruby wasn’t comforted.

She was devastated.

Across the room, Jennie sighed while watching the dramatic collapse happening in real time.

“She is really your daughter, babe,” Jennie muttered, rubbing her temple.

Lisa looked up, offended. “Excuse me?”

Jennie nodded toward Ruby, who was now dramatically clinging to Lisa’s shirt like it was the last lifeboat on earth.

“You’re both too dramatic and clingy… she may have my face but she’s 100% your attitude with my sass.”

Lisa gasped. “My attitude?”

Jennie raised a brow. “You literally cry if I don’t kiss you before I leave the house.”

“That’s different-“

“Is it?” Jennie interrupted, deadpan.

Lisa opened her mouth.

Closed it.

Ruby sniffled loudly in Lisa’s arms. “Mommy Jennie doesn’t love me anymore…”

Jennie immediately softened.

“Oh my god,” Jennie muttered, walking over.

She crouched in front of Ruby.

“I never said I don’t love you.”

Ruby peeked out suspiciously.

“…But no cuddles.”

Jennie sighed.

“That’s the punishment, not the love.”

Ruby hesitated.

Still offended.

Still heartbroken.

But also-

She slowly reached out and grabbed Jennie’s sleeve with her tiny hand.

“Can I… earn one cuddle?” she whispered.

Jennie paused.

Lisa immediately whispered, “Say yes, say yes, say yes-“

Jennie shot her a look.

Then gently tapped Ruby’s nose.

“One cuddle,” she said. “After you promise no more throwing things when you’re upset.”

Ruby nodded so fast her hair bounced.

“Promise!”

Jennie opened her arms.

That was all it took.

Ruby practically launched herself into Jennie’s chest like gravity had personally called her home.

“Mommy Jennie…” she mumbled, instantly calm again.

Jennie held her close, sighing as she stroked her hair.

“Drama queen,” Jennie whispered fondly.

From the side, Lisa sighed dreamily.

“Our drama queen.”

Jennie looked up at Lisa.

“And you,” she added, “are raising two of them.”

Lisa smiled proudly. “And you love us anyway.”

Jennie didn’t deny it.

She just held them both a little tighter.