However, the way his mood changes somehow terrified me. One moment he would be playful, the next moment he would turn monstrous.

I just can't figure out how he had changed so much through these five years.

Was it because of me or was it something else that he was deliberately hiding from me?

Either way, he was so confusing.

He sat perched on the bed and raised my chin to face him. "What are you thinking?"

I peeled off his hand from my chin coldly and answered, "Nothing much."

He set the spoon into the bowl of soup and handed it to me. "Drink it while it's still warm."

I took it from him and set it aside.

He touched my hand and I flinched upon contact. When I met his eyes, they flickered with disappointment before it was gone.

"Do I terrify you that much?"

I simply stared at him for a while and shut my eyes tightly. "I don't know. Just leave me alone."

The door was immediately closed with a loud 'bang' and footsteps slowly faded into nothing.

+++

I returned home with Leo in my arms, sound asleep. His face was so peaceful that I feared that a little noise would wake him up.

I had to tiptoe my way to his bedroom so as to minimise the noises.

I opened the door to his room and set him down on his little cot before returning back to my room.

Chase was already on the bed, shirtless as he faced the side. I ignored him and grabbed my clothes as I hurriedly changed into them.

Instead of sleeping beside him as usual, I decided to sleep with Leo tonight. This somehow gave me a secure feeling than I am with Chase.

It was so ironic, perhaps I missed being with my son. Or maybe because I missed how I always focused on Leo and no one else.

When Chase turned up, our life turned into chaos. For some reason, it was a blessing yet, a disaster.

He had turned into a monster and up till today, he hasn't changed a bit. Not for the sake of Leo, not even for me.

I curled my fingers around the door knob, about to leave the room when a husky voice stopped me. "Where are you going?"

I sighed. "To Leo's room."

With that said, I turned the door knob and opened the door.

I pushed past it, only to find a hand on my arm. "Stop throwing a tantrum about what happened last night and go back to sleep, Gemini."

Instantly, I swatted his hand away and glared at him. "If you think I am merely throwing a tantrum about what happened last night, you are very wrong."

I took a step out of the room and held onto the door knob tightly. "This shows that you don't know me at all, Chase Barrett."

With that said, I slammed the door in his face.

+++

After what happened that day, we did not talk at all. He didn't make the effort to reconcile with me, neither did I.

The only contact we made was when we were in front of Leo. The last thing I wanted was to give him the impression that his parents' relationship has turned sour.

It would affect his process of growing up.

"Mama, I want a sister!" Leo suddenly announced in the middle of breakfast.

Chase stopped eating and looked up, peeking a glance at me. I ignored him and frowned upon Leo's words.

Of all the things he wanted, he actually wanted a sister?

"No, Leo. Mama can't give you that." I said sternly.

He instantly began whining, throwing a tantrum in front of everyone. "Why not, mama? Even Joe has a sister!"

"Leo Barrett." I called him by his full name and glared at him.

This quietened him down as he began crying. I rolled my eyes at his behavior, knowing very well that he wouldn't dare to behave like this in the past.

Ever since Chase entered our lives, Leo has somehow turned from naughty to worse.

Not to mention, the company around Chase was worse. They were one big gang, Leo and I definitely did not fit in.

It felt like everything has gone wrong. Why has things turned this way in the end?

+++

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21st December 2016