Chapter 12: Something Feels Familiar
When I stepped out of the kitchen, everything looked… normal.
Too normal.
Laughter filled the living room.
Music played softly in the background.
Guests were chatting like old times.
But my eyes immediately searched for one thing—
The kids.
"Where are they?" I asked, scanning the room.
"Backyard," Bienda pointed. "All four of them."
Four.
I nodded and slowly walked towards the sliding door.
The moment I stepped outside—
I paused.
Xia, Xayden, Xavier…
Playing together like they've known each other forever.
Xavier was teaching them how to throw a ball properly.
"No, like this—use your wrist," he demonstrated.
Xayden copied him almost instantly.
"Like this?"
"Yeah, good!" – Xavier grinned.
I smiled unconsciously.
Xia, on the other hand, crossed her arms.
"I don't like this way."
"Then how you want?" – Xavier asked, amused.
"Princess way," she said confidently.
The boys burst out laughing.
I shook my head softly.
That's Xia.
But then—
Something caught my attention.
The way Xayden stood.
The way he focused.
The small crease between his brows when he was concentrating.
It felt…
Familiar.
Too familiar.
"You think he'll catch it?" – someone beside me spoke.
I turned slightly.
Yushen.
Standing there.
Watching them.
"I think he will," I replied calmly.
Right on cue—
Xayden caught the ball perfectly.
"Yes!" – Xavier cheered, giving him a quick high five.
Yushen let out a small chuckle.
"He learns fast," he said.
I nodded.
"Yeah… he does."
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"What's his name again?" he asked.
My heart skipped.
"Xayden," I answered.
He repeated it slowly.
"Xayden…"
Like he was trying to remember something.
"And the girl?"
"Xia."
He nodded.
"They're close," he observed.
"They're twins," I said simply.
That made him pause.
"Twins?" he repeated.
"Yeah."
His gaze shifted back to them.
Longer this time.
Deeper.
Xia ran towards Xavier suddenly.
"Gege! Look at this!"
She tripped slightly—
Before I could react—
Both boys moved at the same time.
Xavier grabbed her arm.
And Xayden—
Stepped in front of her protectively.
Instinct.
Pure instinct.
Yushen noticed it too.
I could feel it.
"They protect her well," he said quietly.
I smiled faintly.
"Yes, they are."
Another silence.
But this time—
It felt different.
He wasn't just watching anymore.
He was… thinking.
"Xayden reminds me of someone," he said suddenly.
My breath caught.
"Oh?" I tried to sound casual.
He frowned slightly.
"Yeah… I just can't remember who."
I looked away.
Because I knew.
And the worst part—
A part of me wondered—
How long…
Before he finally does?
Behind us—
The kids laughed again.
Carefree.
Unaware.
But right in that moment—
Something invisible shifted.
And I knew—
This was just the beginning.