Kaisan was hiding behind the tall curtains in the hallway, peeking through the slight gap.
He froze.
Lucas… Lucas was leaning close to a woman Jay didn't recognize, his lips pressed against hers.
Kaisan's small chest tightened.
He blinked, unsure if he had seen correctly.
The world seemed to tilt around him.
He wanted to run, wanted to shout, wanted to tell Jay—but his throat felt frozen.
What could he say?
Mom… Lucas… kissing someone else?
He shook his head, trying to deny it, but the image burned into his mind.
When the woman left, Lucas straightened, smooth as if nothing happened, then walked past Kaisan, oblivious to his son watching silently.
Kaisan stayed behind the curtain, heart pounding, hands trembling.
Later, at dinner, Kaisan pushed peas around his plate, silence heavy.
Jay noticed his quietness.
"Kaisan… are you okay, baby?" she asked softly.
"I… I'm fine," he muttered, not meeting her eyes.
That night, Kaisan lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, mind racing.
How could he tell Jay?
Would she believe him?
Would she be hurt?
He whispered to himself, small voice breaking:
"Mom… Lucas… he's not… he's not just angry at us…"
Tears pooled in his eyes.
He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the weight of a truth too heavy for his small shoulders.
He didn't know how to say it.
He only knew he couldn't keep it inside forever.
The next day, Kaisan stayed close to Jay, watching her, waiting for a quiet moment, trying to find the right way to tell her what he had seen.
But fear held him back.
And yet, the image haunted him, growing heavier each passing second.
In the silent corners of the house, Kaisan's heart had shifted.
He no longer wanted to ask about his father, because now he understood the truth:
The man they called Dad wasn't the man he should be.
And Jay… Jay deserved to know.
But how could he possibly explain what he had seen?
Kaisan hugged his pillow tightly, whispering to himself:
"Mom… you don't deserve this. Not ever."
The words echoed in the quiet room, a promise only he could make.
Jay held Kaisan's small hand as they walked through the front door, tired from the long school day.
"Mom… can we have a snack?" he asked softly.
"Of course, baby," Jay said, smiling, trying to push aside her exhaustion.
As they stepped inside, the faint sound of music drifted from the living room.
Jay frowned. "Lucas didn't say he'd have guests today…"
Kaisan's grip on her hand tightened.
They turned the corner—and froze.
There, in the center of the living room, Lucas was pressed against a woman, hands roaming, lips locked in a kiss.
A living, moving, shameless display—right in their own home.
Kaisan's small face went pale.
His mouth opened, but no words came out.
Jay's eyes widened. She froze for a moment, but instinctively stepped in front of Kaisan.
"Kaisan… go to your room, baby," she whispered, voice low, trembling.
"I… I saw… Mom…" Kaisan stammered, eyes wide with shock.
Jay held up a finger, gently but firmly.
"Not now, Kaisan. Just go upstairs and stay safe. Please."
Kaisan hesitated, glancing between his mother and the scene in front of him.
His small heart pounded.
Then, slowly, he obeyed, retreating toward the stairs, tears welling in his eyes.
Lucas didn't notice either of them.
The woman in his arms giggled softly, pressing closer.
"I missed you," she whispered.
Lucas smiled lazily, brushing her hair back. "I missed you too," he murmured, voice dripping with false charm.
Jay's chest tightened.
Her hands curled into fists at her sides, but she stayed silent, holding back the rage and the heartbreak, shielding Kaisan from seeing her fall apart.
When Lucas finally pulled away, adjusting his shirt, he glanced toward Jay.
"Who's home?" he asked casually, pretending nothing had happened.
Jay's jaw clenched, her voice calm but icy.
"Kaisan and I just got back from school. And I suggest you… leave."
The woman gasped, stepping back. "Oh… I didn't know he had company."
Jay's eyes blazed, sharp as knives. "Clearly. Now leave. Both of you."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You can't control everything, Jay. Just relax."
Jay's hands shook, but she swallowed the tremor, voice steady.
"I don't need to control you. I just demand respect. Leave."
Kaisan, peeking from the stairs, watched his mother.
For the first time, he felt a surge of courage—but also fear.
He understood why he stopped asking about Lucas.
He understood why she fought silently every day.
The woman finally left, casting a shocked glance at Jay as she went.
Lucas straightened, smoothing his shirt, pretending nothing had happened.
Jay turned to Kaisan, opening her arms.
"Come here, baby," she whispered.
Kaisan ran into her embrace, burying his face in her shoulder.
"I… I don't… I don't know what to say," he murmured.
"You don't have to say anything," Jay said softly. "You're safe now. That's all that matters."
Lucas leaned back against the couch, smirking. "You're overreacting, Jay. It's nothing."
Jay glared, fury barely contained.
"Nothing?" she spat, voice trembling. "You humiliate me. You humiliate your child. That's nothing?"
Kaisan clung tighter to her, small body shaking.
Lucas shrugged. "You always make a big deal out of nothing."
Jay's eyes flashed with steel. "No, Lucas. You make a big deal out of everything wrong in this house. And I've had enough."
Kaisan whispered into her chest, tears dripping down.
"I… I hate him, Mom…"
Jay kissed the top of his head, voice soft but strong.
"I know, baby. I know. And one day… he won't matter to us. Not anymore. I promise."
The house grew quiet again.
Kaisan stayed in her arms, silent, watching her face, learning courage from her strength.
Jay's chest ached with heartbreak and anger, but a small, stubborn spark ignited inside her.
No matter what Lucas did.
No matter what he destroyed.
She and Kaisan would survive.
Together.
And one day… they would be free.