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.

We were all surprised by Thunder yelling at his wife. For me, I wasn’t stunned at all. If I were him, I would also feel embarrassed with how Stephanie is behaving. Without knowing what happened first, she just accused someone and it was literally a red flag.

“Thunder, can’t you see? I am just defending our daughter.” she scoffed.

Thunder seemed to be very tired that I could see. I pity him.

“Are you even thinking? Accusing her without knowing the truth first? Why don’t you ask me first, huh? Yeah. Shantalle spoke badly about Mia, okay? Mia just wanted her to know her lesson, but she talked back angrily and left. That was why I scolded her.” he said, catching his breath.

Stephanie swallowed hard. She just looked at us and walked out. I know she got shy. She thought they would side with them.

“Thunder, can I talk to you in private?” Dad asked him.

Thunder looked at me and he nodded.

“Come on, Ava.” we left them.

As we walked away from Thunder and Dad, the tension in the room still clung to the air like a thick fog. I glanced at Ava, her expression unreadable as we moved further down the corridor. The muffled echoes of Thunder’s voice faded behind us, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was unfolding.

Ava stayed silent, her hands clasped in front of her. I wanted to ask what she thought about the argument, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I focused on the intricate patterns of the carpet beneath our feet, trying to make sense of the chaos that had just erupted.

“Do you think grandpa’s upset with dad?” Ava finally broke the silence, her voice soft.

I shrugged. “Maybe. But I think it’s more about what’s happening with Stephanie. Dad doesn’t like drama, especially not when it’s unnecessary.”

Ava nodded, but her eyes lingered on the door we had just left. “I hope they figure it out. It’s exhausting watching them go at it all the time.”

Before I could respond, a sharp, echoing crash reverberated through the hallway. Ava and I froze, our heads whipping back toward the room where Thunder and Dad had stayed behind.

“What was that?” Ava whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

“I don’t know,” I replied, my pulse quickening.

We exchanged a look before darting back toward the room. The door was slightly ajar, and as we pushed it open, the scene before us made my blood run cold.

Shantalle broke my mom’s beloved vase. My eyes widened in horror. The vase isn’t that expensive, but I know how my mom treasured it before.

“What did you do?!” I yelled at her.

Shantalle got scared, trembling. I knelt down picking up the broken pieces, not even minding the pain.

“Mom... your hands are bleeding.” Ava was very worried.

“No... no... no... this is your grandma’s most treasured vase, Ava. I need to fix it.” I know I am stupid, but I love my mom.

Dad, Thunder, and Marga arrived at the same time. All of them were stunned.

“Mia! Your hands.” dad walked and helped me.

Thunder pulled me away from the broken pieces. I struggled but Marga asked the maids to clean it up.

“Don’t throw it away.” I told them.

“Mia, what are you thinking? You just hurt yourself.” dad sighed.

“Dad, that’s mom’s beloved vase. How come it was here? I thought it was locked up inside the room filled with our memories?” I know and I was the one who put it there before leaving this place before.

Dad looked at Marga and Thunder. I know they are asking each other who displayed it out.

“I... I don’t know how it came out, dear.” Marga answered.

“Me too. I haven’t seen that in here.” Thunder said.

All I thought was Stephanie. I looked at Shantalle who was hiding behind Thunder’s legs. I knew her mom must have told her to break it.

“Shantalle, where is your mom?” I asked her.

She shook her head.

“I know you hate seeing me mad, Shantalle. I am not asking you once again.” I am so angry right now. I even want to pinch her nose even though she’s a kid just to tell me the truth.

All of us are looking at her.

“Why are you accusing my daughter? Huh? Why? Have you seen what happened first?” Stephanie, coming down the stairs, looking so fresh from the bath.

I know she was doing this because of what happened earlier. And now, she wanted it to the same back to me.

“I knew it was you, Stephanie. You knew how much that vase means to me and my mom. Is that how you really hate me?” I scoffed.

I don’t care if I lose much blood as long as I can find out who did it. She just grinned and rolled her eyes.

“Come on, Mia. Think before you talk. What if my Shantalle accidentally bumped into it that was why it fell? It wasn’t her fault, okay? In fact, she’s just a kid. She can make mistakes.” she smiled.

Shantalle ran toward her evil mother. She even asked her if she was fine.

“You didn’t even care if she was hurt.” Stephanie shook her head.

“The vase was locked inside that room. Who would dare open and took it from inside, huh? Maybe it was you, because you are so mad at me.” I don’t care if they will get mad at me.

I just hate her guts making things very hard for me.

“Cut the crap, okay? I don’t know how it gets here too, okay? So, will you stop accusing me and my daughter? If you want to know, why don’t you ask the maids around. Maybe... just maybe one of them took it out and displayed it.” Stephanie rolled her eyes.

But I know she was lying. I have known her for so long, and I can tell if she was lying to me.

“If I found out you are responsible with this. I am not going to think twice breaking your face.” I glared at her.