William showed up right on time, just like he said he would. He was always like that, on time and dependable. It was comforting, sure, but also a little annoying. It reminded me that I still needed him.
The ride home was quiet. Zeal had fallen asleep in the backseat, his little hand tangled with Zia's as she hummed along to the cartoon playing on the phone in my lap, her tiny voice almost putting me to sleep too. William glanced at them in the mirror but didn't say much.
When we got home, I unbuckled them gently, carrying Zeal inside while Zia walked behind me, hugging her stuffed bunny close to her chest.
"Can we eat first?" she asked as soon as we stepped in.
"You read my mind, baby," I said, setting Zeal down on the couch and heading into the kitchen.
I reheated some leftover pasta while Zia changed into her favorite princess shirt. Zeal rubbed his eyes and wandered into the kitchen just in time to say, "I'm hungry too," like I hadn't just carried him inside ten minutes ago.
We ate together at the small table. Zia told me a story about a "super brave dragon" who saved a village, and Zeal kept interrupting to say the dragon had pink wings and "superpower burps." I laughed more than I expected to. It felt good, so good to be in the presence of my children. Laughing as if there were no troubles in the world.
After lunch, I gave them both quick baths, changed into something light, and tucked them in for a short nap. Zeal protested, but he was out within minutes.
While they rested, I pulled out some ingredients—rice, grilled chicken, a few veggies, and got to work. Emily hated the hospital food, and if there was one thing I could still do right, it was cook.
The scent of garlic and spices filled the kitchen as I packed the food neatly into containers, then slipped it all into the little pink tote bag we always used for takeout runs. I grabbed juice boxes for the kids and slipped a chocolate bar into the side pocket for Em. She had a sweet tooth and a tendency to sulk when I brought anything remotely "healthy."
Once everything was packed, I glanced at the time. The kids were already stirring in the bedroom. I called out gently, "Zia, Zeal, come on, let's go see Auntie Emily."
They came out rubbing their eyes but perked up the moment they heard her name.
I tied Zia's hair into two little puffs, helped Zeal with his shoes, and slung the bag over my shoulder.
Outside, the air was warm with a gentle breeze blowing by. I hailed a cab and slid in with both kids on either side of me, the tote bag nestled between my feet.
They took turns pointing out dogs and buildings, giggling every time the cab jerked to a stop. I watched them for a moment. They looked so happy and carefree. I silently prayed all their days would be like that and that they'd live a better life than I did.
We reached the hospital in no time. Zeal was half-awake and cranky again, but when I mentioned Aunt Emily, he lit up like a Christmas tree.
We found her sitting up in bed, paler than usual but still managing to look amused by our dramatic entrance.
"Auntie!" They both ran up to her, nestling themselves on both sides of her on the small hospital bed.
"Kids, get down. Let Auntie eat first before you play." I reprimanded them, giving Emily a 'sorry' look.
"No worries." She mouthed at me. "We'll play later, okay?" She smiled at them, ruffling their hair with the little strength she could muster.
"Fine." They got down with a put and went to sit on the couch. Thankfully, all it took was some games and my phone, and they were back to smiling, forgetting everything else.
"Took you long enough," she teased the second the kids were away.
"You're welcome," I said, dropping the bag of food on her table and sitting on the edge of the bed. "Time for your royal feeding."
She rolled her eyes but opened her mouth. "Say ahh?"
I gave her a look. "Don't push it."
Hearing the twins play and laugh made me smile. Happiness filled the room, and I'd hoped it would fill the gaping hole in my heart as well. But Em could always read me too well. She watched me, watched the way my eyes kept drifting, the way my smile didn't quite reach.
"What's wrong?" she asked, finally.
"Nothing," I said quickly. My voice came out more high-pitched than I'd hoped.
She narrowed her eyes. "Lie again, and I'll choke on this spoon just to spite you."
I let out a sigh and looked down at the food. "It's… complicated."
"Try me," she said, chewing slowly.
"Okay, fine." I kept my voice low, even though the kids weren't paying attention. "A few weeks ago, this man contacted me. Said he had a proposition… marry someone for a year and get paid a million dollars."
Em nearly choked on her laughter. "That sounds fake as hell."
"I know, right?" I laughed weakly. "That's what I thought, too. So I turned it down. Blocked the number. And forgot about it."
"But?" she prompted.
"But I called them back a few days ago... I got desperate and held on to the silver of hope that it was real."
I could feel her watching me.
"They told me to meet the guy who needed a wife. Gave me a time and a place. Some fancy hotel downtown." My throat tightened. "I went there a few days ago, and you won't believe who I saw."
"Who?"
I looked right at her. "Z."
Her eyes widened. "The Z? The guy from four years ago?"
I nodded.
Her gaze shifted to the twins. "Isn't he…"
I nodded again. "Their father."
A wave of silence came after.
Even the sound of the kids playing seemed to fade under the weight of it all.
"What are you going to do?" she asked softly.
"I don't know," I whispered. "I turned the offer down."
She looked at me like I'd grown two heads. "Why would you do that? Money aside… he's their father, Lia. He deserves to know. And they deserve to know him."
I clenched my jaw, blinking hard. "You think I don't know that? I do. But Em… he looks like someone who could buy the whole damn hospital if he wanted to. What if he takes them from me?" My voice cracked. "I wouldn't stand a chance against someone like him. I can't lose my babies."
She reached over and squeezed my hand. "I get it. I do. I don't want to lose them either, but what's the guarantee that you would? Just... think about it one more time. Is the offer still on the table?"
"He gave me his number," I said quietly. "Said I could call when I made up my mind."
"Good," she said, squeezing tighter. "At least we still have one option. And listen—don't let fear let you make a decision you'll regret. I know you're scared. I'm scared too. But let's think about this first, okay?"
I stared at our hands, her pale fingers wrapped around mine. I was so tired of surviving. So tired of being the only line of defense between the world and my children.
"I just want them to be safe," I said, my voice barely holding steady. "I want them to have everything I couldn't give them."
She smiled softly. "Then maybe it's time to stop fighting alone."