Later that evening, Kaisan brought his homework to the living room.
"Mom… can you help me?" he asked, voice small.
Jay knelt beside him, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.
"Of course, baby. Let's do it together."
Lucas's voice cut through the quiet room, sharp and harsh.
"Jay! Stop wasting time. Kaisan, do it yourself. You're being spoiled."
Jay flinched at the tone, but Kaisan hesitated, hands shaking.
"Mom… he's always mad," he whispered.
"I know, baby," she replied, holding his hands. "But we'll manage. Together."
One afternoon, Jay dropped a plate while carrying Kaisan's lunch.
Lucas's anger snapped.
"Why can't you do anything right?!" he shouted, his voice like fire.
Before Jay could respond, his hand struck hers—light at first, then heavier.
The plate shattered.
Kaisan froze.
His small hands clenched into fists.
Eyes wide. Heart pounding.
For the first time, he didn't ask about his father.
He didn't need to.
The truth was clear.
Lucas had shown him who he really was.
The man who called himself a father… but couldn't show love, couldn't even control his anger.
Jay gasped softly, rubbing her hand, trying to hide the sting.
"Mom… are you okay?" Kaisan whispered, voice trembling.
Jay forced a small, reassuring smile. "I'm fine, baby. I promise."
But her chest ached.
Kaisan stopped asking about his father that day.
No more questions. No more hope for warmth.
He simply stayed close to Jay, silent, protective, watching her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
That night, Jay tucked Kaisan into bed.
"Mom… I'm scared," he whispered, curling into her arms.
"I know, baby. I know," she said softly, holding him tightly. "But I will always protect you. Always."
Kaisan nodded, burying his face into her shoulder.
Jay's hands rested on his small shoulders as she whispered promises she wasn't sure she could keep:
"No one will ever hurt you… no matter what. Not even him. I'll protect you, Kaisan… always."
From that day on, Kaisan's questions about his father stopped.
He understood, in a way only a child forced to see the truth could understand, that love wasn't in Lucas.
It was only in Jay.
And Jay, exhausted, broken, but unyielding, held him tighter, determined that her child would never feel unloved again.
Even if it meant shielding him from the man who called himself their father.
The silence in the house grew heavier, colder, but in Kaisan's small, warm hand in hers, Jay found the strength to survive.
To endure.
To keep going.
For him.
For the little boy who didn't need a father to know he was loved.
That quiet, small victory became their world.
And Jay knew that, no matter what, she and Kaisan would face life together, unbroken, unshaken.
Even in a house where love was absent, they had each other.
Jay was wiping the dining table when Lucas stormed into the room, face red, voice sharp.
"Why is this glass not polished properly?" he barked.
"I… I did it as carefully as I could," Jay said softly, trying not to meet his eyes.
Lucas's hand shot out and slapped her across the cheek.
The sound echoed through the room.
Kaisan froze, small hands clutching the edge of the chair.
"Mom…" he whispered, eyes wide, heart hammering.
Jay touched her cheek, lips trembling, but forced herself to stay calm.
"It's okay, baby. It's okay," she whispered, voice shaking.
Lucas's anger didn't stop.
"You never do anything right!" he shouted. "Nothing is ever good enough for me!"
Jay lowered her head, swallowing the lump in her throat.
Kaisan's small fists clenched at his sides.
"Mom, he… he hit you!" he whispered, voice cracking.
Jay shook her head, kneeling beside him.
"It's not your fault, Kaisan. You stay here, okay? Just stay safe."
Kaisan's eyes filled with tears, but he nodded silently.
Lucas muttered something and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
The house fell into a heavy silence.
Jay knelt on the floor, breathing shakily, holding her cheek.
Kaisan crawled into her lap, wrapping his tiny arms around her.
"I won't let him hurt you again," he whispered fiercely.
Jay hugged him tightly, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"I know, baby. I know. Thank you for being here with me."
That night, Kaisan didn't sleep.
He lay beside his mother, eyes open, small hand clutching hers.
"Mom… why does he hate us so much?" he asked softly.
Jay kissed his forehead, holding him close.
"He doesn't know love, baby. That's why. But we have each other. And that's all that matters."
From that day on, Kaisan's trust in Lucas vanished completely.
He stopped asking about his father, stopped hoping for love from him.
All he wanted was to protect his mother, to stay close, to never let her face the pain alone again.
And Jay, exhausted and broken, felt a strange comfort in his presence.
In his small, fierce love, she found the strength to endure the cruelty that surrounded them.
No matter what, they had each other.
That small truth became their world.