Chapter 15

“Because they are my children too.”

The voice came firm, trembling slightly but steady enough to make the air between them sharp as glass. Freen’s tone wasn’t loud, yet every word carried the weight of a thousand regrets and unsaid apologies.

Becky’s chest tightened. Her eyes slowly rose to meet Freen’s, the calm before the storm twisting inside her heart. “Shut up, Freen,” she said at last, her voice low but full of restrained anger. “All this time, I’ve been the one raising them. I’ve been the one shaping them into good children. “You…” her voice cracked slightly, but she forced it steady, “you didn’t even admit they were your children before.”

The silence that followed was heavier than any scream.

“Fosbein, Fahnareeh,” Freen called softly, her tone attempting to sound firm, but her heart wasn’t in it. “You two can stop now.”

Both of the little ones frowned, confusion clouding their innocent faces.

They turned their eyes toward Becky. She nodded gently, signaling that it was all right now.

“Go eat first. Don’t wait for Mommy, okay?” she said, her tone softening into warmth that only a mother could give.

They nodded, relief washing over their small faces as they shuffled outside.

Then, without another word, Becky took Freen by the wrist and pulled her toward the bathroom. She shut the door behind them and locked it. The sharp click echoed like the prelude to another storm. She didn’t want the triplets to witness what was coming next.

“You educate them too harshly,” Freen said, breaking the silence. Her voice trembled slightly not out of fear, but because she was holding back emotions she didn’t fully understand.

“Freen Sarocha Chankimha!” Becky’s voice rose for the first time, not loud but piercing with hurt. “Before you talk about how I educate them, can you at least ask why I educate them like that?” Her words came out fast, shaky, wrapped in exhaustion.

Freen clenched her jaw. “No child wants to be educated like that.”

Becky rolled her eyes and exhaled sharply, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “I only punish them when their actions could almost put their lives in danger,” she said, voice trembling slightly now. “When they play in places where they shouldn’t  like my company area. That’s it.”

Freen frowned. “What’s wrong with them playing there?”

“Do you really think they won’t run off to quiet places, play near the elevators or the stairs?” Becky’s eyes glistened now. “I don’t ever want what happened to Fosbein one year ago to happen again.”

Freen froze, her brows knitting together. “What happened?” she asked quietly.

Becky took a deep breath, her fingers trembling as she spoke. “I almost lost him,” she said. The memory flashed in her mind. the scream, the fall, the seconds that felt like hours before she reached him. “That’s why I started punishing them when they do dangerous things. It’s not about control, Freen. It’s to make them think twice before doing it. I just want them to learn responsibility, to be kind and careful when they grow up too.”

Her voice cracked at the last word.

Freen swallowed hard, guilt tightening her chest. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

Becky turned away, blinking fast to stop the tears. “You can go back now,” she said softly but firmly. “Please, don’t meddle in our family matters.” She reached for the door handle, but froze when she suddenly felt Freen’s arms wrap tightly around her waist from behind.

“Freen…” Becky’s voice trembled.

Freen turned her gently to face her. “This time, I promise it won’t be like before,” she said, her eyes burning with determination. “I’ll chase you, Becky, nonstop  until you come back to me.”

Becky’s lip quivered. “You won’t take the triplets from me, right?”

“Absolutely not,” Freen said immediately. “You can come back to me with them. You have more right over them than anyone else. You raised them. You gave birth to them. They are yours as much as mine.”

Before Becky could respond, a loud crash echoed from outside, it’s the sound of glass breaking. Becky’s heart jumped. She ran out, her bare feet padding quickly on the tile floor.

“What happened?”

“I didn’t mean to break it,” said Fahnareeh, her eyes wide, her little fingers trembling. “Sorry, Mommy.”

Becky knelt down, gently stroking her daughter’s hair. “It’s okay, Nareeh.”

Freen immediately crouched to pick up the broken glass shards. The triplets watched her carefully, whispering among themselves.

“She’s helping,” Fahnareeh murmured softly.

“Maybe she’s pretending,” Fastian whispered back, leaning close.

“Don’t ask me,” said Fosbein, shrugging, though his eyes followed Freen with suspicion.

Becky sighed softly, watching all of them . Her little world in one small room. “Thank you, Freen,” she said quietly when the glass was cleaned up.

Freen smiled faintly and sat down next to her.

The triplets stared at the two women for a moment before Fastian frowned deeply. “Aunt Freen, why are you sitting there? Stay away from our mommy,” he said, his tone serious even with crumbs on his cheek.

“You must sit there,” Fahnareeh said, pointing toward another couch. “We don’t want you to bully our mommy.”

Fosbein sighed and stood, squeezing himself between Freen and Becky. “Aunt Freen, you sit there. This is my seat.”

Freen smiled softly, her heart both aching and melting at once. “I promise I won’t bully your mommy  and any of you.”

Fahnareeh blinked at her, cupcake crumbs on her lips. She climbed down from her couch, stood in front of Freen, and asked, “Do you promise?”

Freen nodded. “I promise, Fahnareeh.”

“Pinky promise,” said Fahnareeh, holding up her small finger.

“Pinky promise,” Freen replied, linking their fingers.

Fastian immediately pulled his sister’s hand away. “Don’t trust Aunt Freen easily, Fahnareeh Beena!” he declared, his tone protective and proud.

Becky couldn’t help but laugh softly. “All right, enough now. Quickly finish your breakfast. Mommy wants to bathe the three of you after this.”

“Mommy, we can bathe ourselves,” said Fosbein, puffing his chest.

“Liar,” Becky teased, flicking his forehead lightly.

“Mommy!” he protested, rubbing his forehead, while Becky chuckled.

The sound of their laughter filled the room again. Freen just sat there silently, her eyes softening as she watched them. She didn’t know what to say and  didn’t know how to join that warmth she’d once lost.

“My babies,” Becky said, standing up. “Mommy’s going to prepare the bathtub water. Wait here.”

The triplets nodded, munching quietly. The moment Becky disappeared, Freen reached into a black plastic bag and pulled out a small box.

“What toy is that?” Fastian asked curiously, leaning forward.

“Tian,” Fosbein said with suspicion, “did you forget Aunt Freen used to bully us?”

Fastian blinked, then chuckled sheepishly. “Oh… right.”

“But Aunt Freen promised not to bully us anymore,” said Fahnareeh.

Fastian nodded after a second. “Then we can be friends,” he said, grinning. “Call me Tian.”

“I’m Nareeh,” added Fahnareeh proudly. “That’s Phi Rox.”

Freen laughed softly, her heart clenching at how natural it felt to hear their voices so close.

Fosbein frowned again, muttering under his breath. “Didn’t he just say he didn’t like Aunt Freen? What a traitor,” he mumbled. “Whatever. I want the toy too.”

“Aunt Freen, can I play with the toy?” asked Fastian eagerly.

“Of course,” Freen said with a smile. “It’s for all three of you.”

Just then, Becky came out of the bathroom, her hair slightly damp, holding her laptop under one arm. She sat down, eyes narrowing at the screen.

“What the hell…” she murmured under her breath, her fingers flying over the keyboard. A call from Ayon had already made her head ache earlier while filling the bathtub. Now, the new project she was managing seemed to be falling apart.

She typed furiously, lost in her thoughts.

Freen, who had been watching quietly for a few minutes, finally spoke. “Aren’t you supposed to give the triplets a bath?”

“I know,” Becky said without looking up, “but I need to finish this as soon as possible. If I don’t fix it now, my company will take a loss. I’ll bathe them later. After all, they’re not going anywhere.”

“I can bathe them,” Freen said suddenly.

Becky froze mid-type, glancing up slowly. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah,” Freen replied with a small smile.

Becky narrowed her eyes slightly. “Don’t regret it later,” she warned, a hint of amusement in her tone.

“I won’t regret it,” Freen said, standing up.

Becky looked toward the triplets. “Aunt Freen will bathe the three of you. Go follow Aunt Freen.”

The three exchanged glances, half skeptical, half thrilled. Still, they obeyed and followed Freen down the hallway.

Becky set her laptop aside and followed quietly behind them, leaning against the bathroom doorframe once they entered.

“Bathe Tian first,” Becky instructed. “Don’t bathe him with Rox and Nareeh. His right hand might get wet. And be careful with his head.”

Freen nodded, kneeling by the bathtub. “Okay,” she said softly.

Becky crossed her arms, watching her closely.