The morning came faster than I expected.
By 8 a.m., everything was ready.
Decorations were set. Food was prepared. The house felt warm… alive.
For a moment, I stood in the middle of the living room and took it all in.
My home.
Our home.
Guests started arriving one by one.
Laughter filled the space as familiar faces walked in—my university friends, my ex-colleagues.
Bienda quickly took over the kids.
"Go, go. I'll handle them," she said, already being surrounded by Xia and Xayden.
I smiled. "Don't spoil them too much."
"No promises," she laughed.
Then—
The doorbell rang again.
I opened the door.
And there they were.
Nic, Ying, Aaron…
Yushen.
And Xavier.
For a brief second, my breath hitched.
But I smiled anyway.
"Come in," I said calmly.
The house grew louder, fuller.
The kids ran to Xavier, dragging him upstairs almost immediately.
Everything felt… normal.
Too normal.
Until—
A scream echoed from upstairs.
"XIAAA!"
I paused.
I didn't rush.
Not yet.
Footsteps came rushing down.
"Mom!" – Xayden appeared, slightly flustered.
I stepped closer—but stopped just a little behind Aaron.
Not hiding.
Just… watching.
"What happened?" I asked calmly.
"I tried to help Xia change her headband… but I didn't ask first," he admitted, guilt clear in his voice.
Right then, Xia came down too.
"Mom!" she called, eyes searching for me.
I stayed quiet for a moment.
Observing.
Listening.
This wasn't just about a headband.
I wanted to know—
What exactly they were feeling.
Maxine stepped forward gently.
"Hey, tell me what happened," she said, trying to help.
"He changed it without asking!" – Xia said, clearly upset.
"I just thought the other colour looks nicer…" – Xayden replied softly.
I watched them.
Their expressions.
Their tone.
Not anger.
Not really.
Just…
Misunderstanding.
Maxine tried again.
"Okay, maybe we—"
But both of them shook their heads.
"No… we want Mom."
I smiled a little.
Of course.
I stepped forward.
"Okay, I'm here," I said softly.
Both of them immediately turned to me.
Talking at the same time.
"Mom, he—"
"Mom, I just—"
I raised my hand gently.
"One by one."
They stopped.
I looked at Xia first.
"Tell me."
"He didn't ask me… and I already chose that headband," she said, still holding onto it.
I nodded, then turned to Xayden.
"And you?"
"I just want to help… I think the other one match better," he said honestly.
I crouched down to their level.
"Okay… so no one is wrong here."
They both blinked.
"Xia, you're right. It's your choice. People should ask before changing your things."
She nodded slowly.
"Xayden, you're also right. You wanted to help. That's a good thing."
He looked up at me.
"But…" I continued gently, "next time, you ask first. Because helping without asking can feel like you're not respecting her choice. Understand?"
"Yes, Mom…" he said.
I turned back to Xia.
"And you… instead of shouting, you can tell him nicely. He didn't mean to upset you."
She hesitated… then nodded.
"Okay…"
"Now," I smiled, "what should you both say?"
"I'm sorry…" – Xayden said.
"Sorry…" – Xia replied.
"Good," I said, pulling them into a quick hug.
From the corner of my eye—
I felt it.
That gaze.
I looked up.
Yushen.
He was watching.
Quiet.
Focused.
Not just watching the situation.
But watching me.
And somehow…
That look felt heavier than anything else in the room.
Like he just saw something…
He wasn't supposed to.
And for the first time—
I wondered—
Did he just see…
What kind of mother I became?