Aurora sat on the couch, glancing at Daemon as he awkwardly interacted with the triplets.
It was only the second time he had spent with them since they came to the house, and the tension was thick.
Daemon stood there, trying to connect, but the kids weren't having it.
"Who wants to kick a ball outside?" Daemon asked, his voice sounding unsure.
Leocardius, always the quiet one, barely looked up. "No," he said flatly, focusing on his toy car.
Aurora sighed. She knew this was going to be difficult.
The triplets barely knew Daemon, and after everything that had happened, it was no surprise they were distant.
Still, she had hoped for more.
"Loves," she said softly, "um..maybe you can try?"
Lysander, the most materialistic of the three, crossed her arms and glared at her father. "Why? He didn't care before. Why does he care now?"
Daemon winced at her words, and Aurora's heart ached for him.
But she couldn't exactly blame the kids.
They were hurt, and that hurt ran deep.
"I know I wasn't here," Daemon said, kneeling down to their level. "But I'm trying to make up for it."
Lysander's frown deepened. "It's too late."
Aurora bit her lip, feeling torn.
She wanted them to bond with their father, but she didn't want to push them.
She had lived through too much heartache herself to force her children into something they weren't ready for.
Before she could say anything else, Collete, her mother-in-law, swept into the room like a cold breeze.
Her sharp eyes took in the scene, and Aurora braced herself.
"Well, isn't this lovely," Collete said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Trying to play the perfect little family now, are we?"
Aurora's hands clenched into fists. "Collete, this isn't the time."
But Collete ignored her. She walked over to the triplets, pulling out a box of sweets from her purse. "Here, darlings, have some chocolates. I know Mommy doesn't let you have these, but Grandma says it's okay."
Aurora shot to her feet. "No, Collete. I've told you, no candy before dinner."
Collete's smile widened, but there was nothing kind about it. "Oh, Aurora, stop being so uptight. You're too strict with them. Kids need to have fun."
Aurora felt the familiar anger bubbling up. This wasn't just about candy.
Collete had been undermining her since the day she married into this family. But now, She wouldn't allow it anymore.
Aurora was their mother, and Collete's constant interference was obviously a declaration of battle.
A battle Aurora was ready for and would win.
"I am their mother," Aurora said, her voice steady but cold. "You don't get to make decisions for them."
Collete raised an eyebrow, her tone condescending. "Really? Because it seems like no one's listening to you."
Aurora's heart pounded. She glanced at Daemon, not really expecting him to step in, or support her.
He just stood there, silent, his eyes downcast. His refusal to speak felt like a slap in the face.
"Daemon," Aurora said, her voice stern, "are you going to say something?"
Daemon shifted uncomfortably but said nothing.
Collete smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. "See, dear? Even your husband doesn't back you up."
Aurora took a deep breath and stood tall.
"Collete, you need to leave," she said firmly.
She turned to her kids, who were watching the confrontation with wide curious eyes. "We'll talk later, okay? No chocolates before dinner."
Collete huffed but sauntered out of the room, leaving a trail of tension behind her.
As the door closed, Aurora sank back onto the couch, feeling the weight of everything.
"I'll… try again tomorrow," Daemon finally mumbled, sounding defeated.
Aurora didn't respond. She wasn't sure if there was going to be a tomorrow for them—not like this.