As they entered, I couldn't help but think about how my mother had kept me away from them my entire life.
I had never been allowed to meet my father's side of the family. And now, here they were, walking into my home as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Ah, we were just curious about the new upgrades to the house," a woman's voice said from behind. I looked up to see my stepmother, Lu Shey Gen, standing by the door with a warm smile.
I forced a smile of my own. "Well, since you're all here, why don't we have dinner together?"
The room fell silent. My siblings, my stepmother, even I was surprised by my own words. I hadn't planned to say that—it just came out.
In my past life, I pushed them away because I felt they only wanted to be with me because I got power, but in the end I found that they're really sincere.
But before anyone could respond, a familiar voice interrupted. "Sure! We haven't eaten yet," my father's booming voice filled the room as he entered. Lu Urcel Pion, gray-haired and stern as ever, smiled at me.
"But we just ate!" Shirley pouted, grinning playfully.
Lu Shey Gen chuckled, patting Shirley on the head. "I could eat again."
Just as things were about to settle, Ethan and the kids burst in. "What's going on, Shian?"
Before I could answer, the 13 mystical kids I'd been taking care of swarmed in, their feline eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Wow, Dad! Who are they?" one of the older kids asked, his tail twitching with excitement.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Everyone, meet my family."
Ethan's jaw dropped. "Family? When did this happen?"
The kids, however, didn't seem fazed. They were more excited about the new people, chattering amongst themselves.
One of the younger ones, still in her cat form, leaped onto Shirley's shoulders, much to her surprise. "You have a cool tail!" Shirley giggled.
I looked around the room, taking in the scene. It was chaotic, sure, but strangely... it felt right. Maybe having everyone here, all together, was exactly what I needed.
As we entered the elevator the elevator hummed quietly as it descended, the sleek glass walls revealing a stunning view of the city skyline at dusk.
As I stood inside, I found myself lost in thought, my reflection staring back at me through the tempered glass. I could see the streets below, cars passing by, and lights flickering on in distant buildings. The quiet was almost too peaceful.
Suddenly, Nero's voice broke through the silence in my mind.
[You know, Shian, a year ago, you wouldn't have welcomed them like this. You would've been cold, distant.]
I frowned slightly, arms crossed as I leaned back, gazing out at the world outside. Nero wasn't wrong—just a year ago,
I'd barely acknowledged my father's family. But now, after everything that had happened, it was different. "Yeah, well... I guess going back in time changes things."
[It changes you.] Nero's voice was calm, but there was a hint of curiosity.
[Just look at you now, welcoming your father's family into your home. A year ago, you'd have shut the door in their faces.]
I chuckled lightly, shaking my head. It wasn't that far from the truth.
"Because I wasn't with them for a reason," I said, my voice was soft, almost reflective. "I was kept away. If it weren't for that law, things might've been different."
Nero's tone turned understanding.
[Ah, yes. That law.] He paused for a moment.
[The one that says until a child turns 19, they can't meet their father's new family. You were only allowed to stay with your mother.]
"Exactly," I muttered, eyes still on the skyline.
"It wasn't like I had a choice. My father's new family and I were kept apart by law. Until I turned 19, I was stuck with my mom, without ever knowing who they were."
[Must've been tough.]
"Yeah, it was," I admitted, my gaze drifting back to my reflection.
"I used to resent it. Not knowing them. Not being part of their lives. But... it's different now. Going back in time gave me a chance to fix that."
[Or maybe deep down, you've always wanted to be part of their lives. You just never got the chance before.]
I didn't say anything for a moment, letting Nero's words sink in. He had a point, though I wasn't sure I was ready to fully accept it yet. Instead, I focused on the slow descent of the elevator as it passed floor after floor, the cityscape gradually shifting into view.
Ding!
The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped out into the spacious living room of my newly upgraded house.
The kids, all 13 of them, were running around, full of energy, while Ethan stood by, looking completely dumbfounded at the scene in front of him.
Ethan turned to me, wide-eyed. "Shian, what's going on? Who are all these people?"
I shrugged, trying to keep my expression casual. "They're my family."
"Your family?" Ethan's disbelief was palpable. "Since when?"
"Since always," I replied with a small smile. "I just wasn't allowed to meet them before." My voice softened as I continued,
"Because of that law, I wasn't able to meet them until I turned 19. So yeah, we've been apart for a long time."
Shirley, my youngest sister, ran up to me, her pink hair bouncing as she grinned. "But now we're all together, right, big brother?"
I glanced down at her, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through my chest. "Yeah," I said, ruffling her hair. "Now we're together."
Ethan stood there, still in shock, while the mystical kids continued their playful antics, laughing and chasing each other around the room. "This is... a lot," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
I laughed softly. "Yeah, it is. But it's good. Better than before."
[You've come a long way, Shian.] Nero's voice echoed in my mind again.
[Maybe going back wasn't just about changing the future, but healing the past too.]
I nodded, more to myself than to anyone else. "Maybe you're right, Nero. Maybe you're right."