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?!”

Mia’s POV

Thunder’s voice echoed in my ears, cutting through the tension that hung thick in the room. “No, you don’t need to.”

I turned to him, startled by his words. For a moment, his expression softened, and I glimpsed the Thunder I once knew, the man who would have fought the world for me. But the spell was broken as Stephanie’s sharp intake of breath sliced through the room.

Her glare burned into me, but I held my ground. My daughter, Ava, clung to my hand, her little fingers gripping mine tightly as if seeking assurance. I glanced down at her, my heart aching.

“I don’t think staying here is worth the constant drama.” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, even though my insides churned with frustration. “My daughter deserves peace.”

Thunder opened his mouth to respond, but Stephanie cut him off.

“Peace?” she sneered, stepping forward. “Don’t play the victim, Mia. You waltzed back into this house and stirred up chaos. Don’t act like you’re the martyr here.”

My lips twitched into a bitter smile. Classic Stephanie. She always needed to make herself the center of attention, no matter the cost.

“I’m not playing anything, Stephanie,” I said, my voice calm but firm. “I came here because this house belongs to my family. I’m not leaving just because you can’t handle the truth.”

Stephanie’s face flushed crimson. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, and I braced myself for the inevitable explosion. But before she could say another word, Thunder stepped between us.

“That’s enough,” he snapped, his tone cold and sharp. His gaze flicked to Stephanie, and for the first time in a long while, I saw the strain in his eyes—the weight of trying to keep everything together.

Stephanie shrank back, but her glare didn’t waver. I knew this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

“Mommy?” Ava’s small voice broke the tension.

I crouched down, cupping her cheeks as I forced a smile. “What is it, sweetheart?”

“Do we really have to leave? I like it here. Grandpa and Grandma are nice.” Her big eyes welled up with tears, and my resolve wavered.

Before I could respond, Marga stepped forward. “Mia.” she said softly, her voice a balm against the tension. “This is your home, and we want you and Ava to stay. But we need to figure out how to make this work for everyone.”

I glanced at her, gratitude flickering in my chest. Marga had always been the voice of reason, even when the world seemed to crumble around me.

Thunder sighed, running a hand through his hair. “She’s right,” he said, his tone weary. “We need to stop this... all of it. The fighting, the accusations. It’s not fair to the kids.”

His words hung in the air, and for a moment, silence reigned. But I knew better than to think it would last.

“I don’t care what you all decide,” Stephanie said suddenly, her voice icy. “But Shantalle isn’t apologizing. She’s just a child, and she was defending herself.”

“Defending herself?” I snapped, my calm façade cracking. “She pushed Ava for no reason, Stephanie. That’s not defending herself—that’s bullying.”

“She wouldn’t have done it if your daughter knew her place!”

The words hit me like a slap. I straightened, my fists clenching at my sides. But before I could respond, Ava stepped forward, her little chin trembling but held high.

“I don’t care if Shantalle doesn’t like me,” she said, her voice small but steady. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Pride swelled in my chest, and I knelt to hug her. My daughter was stronger than I’d ever realized.

Marga sighed, her expression tired. “Stephanie, that’s enough. This is a family, whether you like it or not. And if Shantalle can’t respect that, then maybe she needs to learn.”

Stephanie’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, but she didn’t argue.

Thunder pinched the bridge of his nose, his frustration palpable. “Mia, Ava—stay. Please,” he said finally, his voice softer than before. “We’ll figure it out.”

I wanted to argue, to say that staying here would only cause more problems. But when I looked at Ava and saw the hope in her eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to say no.

“Fine,” I said quietly. “We’ll stay. But if this happens again, Thunder, I won’t hesitate to leave—for good this time.”

He nodded, and for a brief moment, our eyes met. There was a flicker of something there—something that reminded me of the love we once shared. But I quickly looked away, refusing to let myself dwell on the past.

This wasn’t about me and Thunder. This was about Ava. And I’d do whatever it took to protect her, even if it meant living under the same roof as Stephanie and her venom.

As I led Ava upstairs, I felt Stephanie’s glare boring into my back. Let her be angry. Let her hate me.

“You're lucky they have your back, but let me tell you this... Not because you own this house means you own everyone as well, Mia. You know me, and you know what I can do to you.” she grinned.

I wasn’t here for her approval. I was here for my daughter.

And I wasn’t going anywhere.