I don't know what to do. Shantalle hates Ava already. I looked at Ava, and her face was saddened. Mia is trying to make her feel happy. Melissa called us for an early dinner. I asked one of the maids to call for Stephanie.

“Ava, are you hungry? We’re going to eat again.” I heard Mia ask her.

“You had eaten already?” I asked her.

“Yeah, at McDonalds. Ava was hungry and we stopped over there.” but Ava says she’s hungry again.

The three of us headed to the dining hall. Shantalle is sitting beside her mother and glaring at us. My wife is mad, but I should talk to her about this.

The dinner went well even though we weren’t all talking too much. It was still awkward for all of us, but we were surprised by Ava’s jolliness. She got it from Mia, which I was happy with because she made us all happy and relieved our situation.

“Thunder, what the heck?!” Stephanie surprised me out of nowhere.

“Steph, please. I know this is also awkward, but she’s, my daughter. I can’t do anything about it.” I sighed.

She was complaining that we should go home already now that Mia was back with our daughter. When she left their mansion, it was she who insisted on staying here.

“She’s your daughter, but Shantalle is your daughter too. She’s inside our room, crying, and telling me that she didn’t want to have someone to half your love. Gosh! I can’t believe Mia could do this!” There she goes again.

I put my arms on her shoulders. Her eyes looked so worried.

“Fine, we can leave here, but I can still visit and take my daughter if I want to. Seven years, honey, I need to fulfill those years I wasn’t beside her.” her eyes widened.

She’s my wife. She should agree with my decision. I just want everything to be fixed, especially for Ava. They are downstairs talking with David.

“What if Mia is using your daughter for you to go back to her?!” I closed the door.

Everyone might hear us arguing. I took a deep breath and told her to calm down. Although she was being too much, I needed to scold her to stop thinking things.

“What the heck are you saying? Mia isn’t like that.” I scoffed.

“Really? So, you admit that you still love her, don’t you?” my eyes widened.

She looked so calm asking me that, but I could feel her anger in her eyes. I have never seen my wife mad like this right now.

“Steph, I didn’t say anything like that. Why are you thinking such things? You’re my wife and you are the one I love. Please, quit thinking a lot of things!” I can’t help myself but raise my voice to her.

Her face became calm. Suddenly, we were stopped by a knock on our door. We were surprised to find it was Mia with her calm reaction. What’s wrong with her? She looked so calm and unbothered.

“Hi? I am sorry if I interrupt you with something. I came to talk to you. I know this is very awkward. Dad also told me we would stay here to be with him. If you don’t mind? Because as far as I know, this is our house.” she must have heard us arguing.

I took a deep breath and looked at my wife. Stephanie was trying to hold onto her anger.

“We don’t mind, Mia. Besides, we are going back to our house.” my wife answered.

Mia’s eyes widened and nodded. Has she moved on from me? Why do I feel like this? I should feel happy that she moved on. After all the heartaches I gave her.

“Okay. By the way, Steph, can I borrow your husband for a while?” She looked at me.

Stephanie was very surprised. I even heard her cussed.

"Y-Yeah, sure. I'll just go and check on Shantalle." she looked at me.

“Don’t worry. I am not going to do anything to him. I’ll return him afterward.” Mia added.

Stephanie just left us. Mia took a deep sigh as she looked around our room. It must have hurt her that Steph and I even used our bedroom while we were still together. A bitter smile appeared on her face.

“Looks like you enjoyed staying in ‘our’ bedroom.” she chuckled.

“Anyways, I came here to talk about Ava. I know you have the right to get mad at me, but I also had the right to hide her from you. Fast forward, I don’t want us to argue about it already. I had already moved on. So, please tell your wife not to be bitter with me. Ava and I just want to be with my Dad again. I hope you understand, and I just want to make her happy, and that is, she wants to see you.” she still couldn’t look at me.

There were a lot of things I wanted to tell her, but there were no words that came out of my mouth. Why did I become a coward in front of her?

“And oh, yeah, please find time with her. Ava is just so pleased to meet you. I hope you will not disappoint her.” she finally looked at me with a smile.

That smile, her smile that I once fell in love with.

“I want to say a lot of things, but all I can do right now is to agree with you. If we are treating each other nicely, we’re good.” she was surprised.

Maybe she didn’t expect that from me. She left me already. I lazily sat down on the bed and closed my eyes. Why am I feeling like this? The door suddenly opened, and my wife looked very angry at me.

STEPHANIE’S POV

I hate Mia! I really hate her. How dare she say that to me? Of course, I know she’s the real owner of this house, but she was gone for seven years. Yet, she just showed up with a daughter? She’s just lucky that her daughter looks like Thunder, or else.

“Hey, we’re done. You can take your husband back.” how dare she smirk on me like that.

Looking at Mia, she never changed. She’s still pretty, and she doesn’t even look like she gave birth.

“I didn’t say anything that you might steal him.” I smiled, sarcastically.

“Steal him? From you? Ohh, the last time I checked, you were the one who stole him from me.” my eyes widened.

My hands are shaking in anger.

“I didn’t steal him from you, Mia! He was the one who came to me, and begged me to give him a child which you couldn’t give.” I want to pull her hair.

Mia rolled her eyes at me.

“That was before. Do you think he would have married you if you didn’t get pregnant? Wait, you were saying Ava mustn’t be his child. Should we run a DNA to make sure? How about you? Do you think we also need DNA to run if Shantalle is his daughter?” my heart beats faster.

I walked toward but before I slapped her, she was too fast to stop my hand. Her eyes are flaming while looking into my eyes. This isn’t the Mia I met before. She changed.

“Don’t you dare touch me? And why do you look affected? Now, you know how I feel. Next time, think before you speak.” she let go of my hand and turned her back.

I took a deep breath as I opened the door. I saw Thunder sitting like a weak ghost.

"See! Your ex-wife was rude to me. I know she was trying to make me mad, but I will never let her win." I groaned and sat beside him.

Thunder isn't still saying anything. I know that look on his face. It was the same look he found out Mia signed their divorce agreement and that she left.

"Thunder, can you please be honest with me? Do you still have feelings for Mia?" I don't care if he will say yes.

Yes or no, I will not still let them be back together. I tried harder to win and go here. I did my best. I still befriended Mia before, even though I hated her. I hate her, because everyone at school loves her. I hate her because she's so smart, while I was just good. I hate being her shadow, and now that she's back, I will never let her be on top again.

"I just feel so guilty, Steph, and can you please stop asking me about that thing? It's so irritating!" he just walked out on me.

I knew it. He just couldn't tell straight on my face.

"Mommy, are they going to live here too? I asked Ava, and she said her mom said they are going to live here with grandad and grandmom." I feel so bad for my daughter.

I asked her to sit with me and held her face.

"Yes, baby, they are going to stay here. But we are going back to our own home." she was surprised.

"What?! Why?! I don't want to go away from grandmom and granddad. Ava will steal them from me." I grinned.

My daughter is still young, but she already knows how to be brave, which is likely the same as me.

"Baby, how about this? Your dad and I will go back to our house, and you can stay here with them." her face brightened up.

Since Shantalle was young, I have already given her everything she needs and wants; attention, love, care, and toys she needs. Now that she's seven years old like that Ava, I will let her stay here with them. I know she can handle herself.

"Really?! I would love that! I am going to tell them about it." she was so excited as she ran out of our room.

THUNDER'S POV

"Daddy! Grandpa! Grandmom, mommy said I can stay here with you." I was speechless.

"What? Why? I thought you were going home with us?" but she pouted and scoffed.

Shantalle hates rejecting her decisions, especially if her mom already agreed. She really wanted to stay here, because she loves her grandparents.

"Why are you leaving?" there she goes again.

I hated if Mia would look at me and talk to me.

"Yeah, dad, why are you leaving? I just got here." Ava looked so sad.

But we were surprised when Shantalle pushed her. Good thing Mia was behind her, and she caught her. I pulled Shantalle over me and scolded her.

"That's not nice, Shantalle. Apologize to your sister!" her eyes are watering.

"Why are you scolding my daughter?!" Stephanie grabbed her from me.

I am tired of this drama of theirs. They always act like this, but they don't even choose the right place to do it.

"Honey, she pushed Ava. What if Mia wasn't there? Ava must have broken her head or worse. Shantalle, I want you to apologize to her." I am so mad right now.

Shantalle hid behind her mom's legs.

"Enough, Thunder. Your daughter will not even listen to you. Shantalle, come here." David called her.

We all looked at her walking toward him and sat beside him.

"Why did you do that?" he caressed her face.

Ava looked still scared, while Mia looked so mad.

"I don't want her calling my daddy her daddy too, granddad. I don't want to be her sister too, and I want them to leave. I hate her. I hate them." we were all surprised.

"Shantalle! That's bad. Mia and Ava are also your family, don't talk like that." Marie spoke.

Shantalle cried. I looked at Stephani and told her to go and talk to our daughter, but suddenly, Mia cut us off.

"I don't want always this to happen, dad. If my daughter is being treated like this in here, we will just live in a hotel. I don't want my daughter to see these things." she was really mad.

“I’m very sorry, Mia.” Marga apologized as I was fixing Ava’s clothes.

I am just so curious why Stephanie was very different from Marga.

“It’s okay, aunt Marga.” I smiled at her.

She walked toward me and held my hands. Looking into her eyes, I could see sadness and being broken.

“I knew it was my fault. I spoiled her that much, and now, Shantalle. I am such a bad mother.” she sighed.

Squeezing her hands, I chuckled a bit. She was so honest unlike her daughter.

“It’s not your fault. None of us is not at fault. It’s just that...” I took a deep breath.

I didn’t know how to tell this.

“Our family is very cliche. Don’t get me wrong. I love you as my stepmother, but you know it was harder... she was once my best friend, but everything changed.” I shrugged my shoulders.

Marga touched my face and smiled.

“Don’t worry. I fully understand what you mean. As long as you and Ava are here, I will not let Shantalle nor Stephanie hurt you. I promise.” her smile made me feel safe.

I nodded.

“Ava is in a deep sleep. She must be very tired of the trip.” I can say she was even genuine to my daughter.

I sighed and walked closer her. Ava is really Thunder’s carbon copy. In every angle, you couldn’t miss seeing his face.

“She’s really looked like her dad.” Marga smiled.

I smiled.

“Clearly, she might be like Thunder, but we are not sure if he’s Ava’s dad, right?” Stephanie just spoke behind us.

We didn’t even know how long she was there. Marga and I look at each other.

“Stephanie, will you stop? They are not doing something to you.” Marga sighed.

Steph glared at her mom, shaking her head.

“Really, mom? You’re siding her against me? Is she your daughter?” she scoffed.

Jealousy was written on her face. Marga was just shocked, couldn’t talk.

“Stephanie, if you’ll excuse us, my daughter is sleeping and I don’t want her to be disturb. If you’re here to argue with me again, I am also tired.” I told her.

I was expecting her to give up and just walk away, but to my surprise, she grinned, slapping me.

“Stephanie!” Marga gasped.

I closed my eyes and touched my left cheek. Literally, it hurts, but it would hurt more if I slap her back.

“You know what, ever since you came back, Thunder’s mind went insane, Mia! It’s your fault!” she shouted at me.

I looked at Marga who was stopping her.

“M-Mom.” Ava woke up.

I took a deep breath and walked toward Ava.

“I am sorry if we woke you up.” I smiled at her.

“Mia! Come on! I know you want to fight back!” Stephanie kept on shouting, scaring my daughter.

I sighed.

“Ava, sweetie, excuse us, okay?” she nodded.

I stood up and walked toward them. Marga couldn’t control her, so I decided to control her myself. A hard slap from me to her, Marga couldn’t talk while Stephanie was shocked looking at me.

“I told you my daughter is sleeping. How dare you still shout?” I couldn’t control myself out of anger.

A few minutes later, she wasn’t still speaking.

“Please get out of our room.” I firmly said.

“Stephanie, come on. I am so sorry again, Mia.” Marga seemed very embarrassed about her daughter’s behavior.

Marga held her hand, but Steph slapped her hand away.

“I don’t need someone to hold me. I can leave by myself, but let me tell you this, Mia. You will never take him back from me if that is what you are planning.” she grinned angrily and left.

Marga groaned.

“Mia, I am so sorry about that. Really am I.” she followed Stephanie.

I took a deep breath and closed the door. We came here for my dad, yet, she wouldn’t stop giving me trouble.

“Mom, are you okay?” I almost forgot Ava is watching me.

I smiled at her.

“Yes, dear. Mommy’s fine.” I told her.

The next morning, Daniel called us for breakfast. Good thing, Stephanie was out jogging, or else I would lose my appetite when I missed our maid’s dishes.

“Hmmm, their dishes haven’t changed at all.” I groaned, while chewing.

I don’t care if they think I am so stupid. I just want to enjoy the food. All of them laughed except for Thunder who just smiled, and Shantalle who just scoffed.

“Darling, I know you missed it so I asked them to cook many for you and Ava.” Dad said.

Dad is still weak, but his doctor said he’s recovering for a bit. But I really hope so.

“Awww, you’re the best dad. Ava, how about you try this one? It’s my favorite.” I grabbed the plates of egg with mayonnaise.

“Really? An egg, your favorite? So common. So cheap.” Shantalle laughed.

I didn’t care about it. Shantalle is just a kid. But I heard Marga and Thunder, scolding her whisperingly.

“Shantalle, will you please be nice with them? They are our guests, Mia is my daughter and Ava is my granddaughter and your sister.” Dad couldn’t help but talk as well.

“Dad, you don’t have to. I understand her. She’s still young and needs to realize many things. I know she will do that when the right time comes. Right, Shantalle?” I looked at her.

Shantalle groaned and angrily put down her spoon and stood up.

“I will tell you to my mom!” she yelled and left.

Thunder took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. I just looked at Ava and smiled. Good thing, my Ava is well mannered.

“I am so sorry. I’ll just go and talk to her.” Thunder excused.

I just nodded. Dad just shook his head and we all continued to eat like nothing happened.

As we all finished, we all heard heavy footsteps walking toward us.

“What did you do to my daughter?!” Stephanie with her jogging top and leggings showed up.

I stood up.

“I didn’t do anything to her. I just told her what she needs to know, which you didn’t teach her.” I smirked.

Her eyes widened in horror.

“W-What? Do you really want me to kick you out of this house? I don’t care if it’s your house, Mia!” I was surprised.

But I was more surprised when Thunder showed up. I don’t know, but seems like I am enjoying this family.

“Stephanie! Will you shut the f*ck up?!”