Chapter 103

The backyard was loud in the best way possible—laughter bouncing off warm evening air, the soft sizzle of barbecue on the grill, and Ruby’s tiny giggles cutting through everything like sunshine.

Lisa sat on one of the picnic benches, Ruby perched comfortably on her lap, busy trying to feed her a piece of marshmallow that was already half-melted between her fingers.

“Mama, open!” Ruby insisted, pushing the sticky treat toward Lisa’s lips.

Lisa laughed, leaning forward obediently. “Yes, boss.”

Across the yard, Jennie stood by the grill with Jisoo and Rosé, expertly flipping skewers like she owned the entire concept of barbecue itself. She looked relaxed, soft, domestic—until she wasn’t.

Because then it happened.

“Lalisa Manoban.”

The name cut through the noise like a record scratch.

Everything stopped.

The chatter died mid-sentence. The sizzling grill suddenly felt too loud. Even the wind seemed to pause out of pure respect—or fear.

Lisa froze.

Completely.

Mid-bite. Mid-breath. Mid-life.

Ruby blinked, confused, still holding the marshmallow against Lisa’s lips. “Mama?”

Lisa didn’t respond.

Because across the yard stood Jennie—arms crossed, eyebrow slightly raised, gaze locked directly onto her.

And she used the full name.

Not “Lisa.”

Not “Lili.”

Not “baby.”

Full. Government. Name.

Jisoo slowly stepped back. Rosé followed immediately. Someone coughed awkwardly and then pretended to be extremely interested in the potato salad.

Within seconds, the entire family had… dispersed.

Gone.

Vanished.

Left Lisa alone in the emotional battlefield.

Still holding Ruby.

Still frozen.

Still buffering.

Ruby looked around, then back at her mom. “Mama… why everyone run?”

Lisa blinked once.

Twice.

“…I think Mama Jennie just unlocked a new level of danger.”

From across the yard, Jennie called again—calm, but with that terrifying softness.

“Come here.”

Lisa swallowed.

Ruby whispered, “You in trouble?”

“…I don’t know yet,” Lisa whispered back. “But it feels like it.”

Very slowly—like approaching a wild animal—Lisa stood up, adjusting Ruby on her hip. Each step toward Jennie felt like walking into judgment day.

By the time she reached her, Lisa looked like a soldier accepting fate.

“Yes… love?” she tried, voice careful.

Jennie stared at her for a long second.

Then—

She reached out and wiped something off Lisa’s cheek.

“…You had sauce here,” Jennie said casually.

Lisa blinked.

“…What?”

Jennie shrugged, turning back to the grill like nothing just happened. “You looked messy. I called you so you’d come over.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Lisa stood there, brain trying to reboot.

Behind them, heads slowly peeked out—Jisoo from behind a chair, Rosé from near the drinks table.

Ruby looked between them, then giggled.

“Mama scared.”

Lisa let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding and buried her face into Ruby’s tiny shoulder.

“I was terrified,” she admitted.

Jennie glanced at her, lips twitching.

“…Good,” she muttered, clearly amused.

Lisa gasped softly, offended. “You did that on purpose!”

Jennie smirked but didn’t deny it.

From the sidelines, Jisoo finally spoke up, dramatic as ever. “I thought we were about to witness a breakup at a barbecue.”

Rosé nodded. “I was mentally preparing a speech.”

Lisa groaned. “You all LEFT me.”

“Self-preservation,” Jisoo said instantly.

Ruby clapped her hands. “Again! Say Mama name again!”

Lisa tightened her hold on Ruby. “No. Absolutely not.”

Jennie leaned closer, voice dropping just enough to make Lisa tense again.

“Lalisa—”

Lisa squeaked. “Okay, okay, I’ll behave!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Jennie finally gave in too, reaching out to pull Lisa closer by the waist, pressing a quick kiss to her temple.

“Relax,” she whispered. “You’re too easy to scare.”

Lisa pouted, but leaned into her anyway. “You weaponized my full name. That’s not fair.”

Jennie just smiled.

And Ruby, still in Lisa’s arms, grinned proudly like she had just witnessed the most dramatic show of her life.

“Family fun,” she declared.

And just like that, the barbecue noise came back—louder, warmer, and filled with teasing that Lisa knew she’d never live down.