The morning air was crisp, sunlight pouring through the tall windows of the mansion, but the atmosphere inside Ren's home felt heavy—quiet and cold.
Aoi sat silently at the edge of the dining table, dressed in a pale sweater far too thin for the October chill seeping through the cracked window. His eyes were dull, the steam rising from his untouched tea fading like the warmth in his chest.
*Ding-dong.*
The doorbell rang.
Aoi flinched.
Footsteps echoed down the hall as the front door slowly opened.
"*Ren?*" A familiar, graceful voice called out, light and composed, but with an undertone of urgency.
"*I let myself in.*"
*Julia.*
She stepped inside, tall and elegant in a long, deep green coat. Her silver earrings swayed with every step, and her sharp eyes scanned the living room like she already sensed something was wrong. Her aura was commanding—she was a woman used to being heard.
But when her gaze fell on Aoi, her steps paused.The boy before her looked nothing like the cheerful, shy child she had once taken in. His cheeks were slightly hollowed, his pink hair messily tied, and his sleeves tugged down over his hands as if to shield himself.
"Aoi?" she said softly, approaching.
He stood and bowed gently. "Good morning… Julia-san."
Her eyes softened at the formality. "You don't need to bow to me, sweetheart."
She reached forward, cupping his cheek. Her fingers brushed against the faint bruise Ren had left, and her smile faded immediately.
"…What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Aoi lowered his eyes. "I… fell."
Julia stared at him for a long, painful moment, then gently pulled him into a hug. Her heartbeat quickened.
"You're so much like her," she whispered into his hair.
And just like that, memories of Jane—the girl she once loved silently—rushed back. Her laugh, her kindness, her tragedy.
Julia's hands tightened around Aoi, like she was holding onto something she'd already lost once.
This time, she wasn't going to let go.
---
Sure! Here's the *continuation* of the scene:
---
*Ren's Entrance & Julia's Confession*
Just as Julia pulled away, the front door slammed shut again.
"Back already?" Ren's voice echoed casually as he entered the hallway, slipping off his jacket. "Riku forgot his—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His eyes met Aoi's, then flicked to Julia.
His mother's hand still rested gently on Aoi's shoulder.
"Mom?" Ren raised an eyebrow. "You're early."
Julia turned toward him, calm but cool. "I came to see how my son and his husband are doing."
Ren laughed awkwardly, stepping into the room. "Oh, we're great." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Aoi's a bit dramatic, but—"
*Smack.*
The room went still.
Julia had slapped him.
Ren stared at her, stunned. "W-What the hell?!"
"You raised your hand against him?" Her voice was low but sharp, trembling with restrained rage. "You think I wouldn't notice that bruise? That look in his eyes?"
Ren opened his mouth but couldn't form words.
Julia didn't give him the chance.
She turned back to Aoi, her expression softer now. "Come. Let's talk."
Ren stood frozen as she led Aoi into the quieter sitting room.They sat on the velvet couch, sunlight painting golden patterns on the rug. For a moment, Julia said nothing—just breathed in deeply, gathering the courage she'd buried for decades.
"Aoi…" she began. "There's something you need to know. About your mother. About why… I brought you into this family."
Aoi looked up, puzzled.
Julia's eyes grew distant.
"Her name was *Jane*. She was the brightest thing in my world when we were in school. Kind, funny, beautiful. I loved her more than I ever dared to say. But I was afraid—afraid of ruining what we had. So I stayed silent."
Aoi's eyes widened. He had never heard this before.
"She married a man who didn't deserve her. And when he broke her, she shattered completely." Julia's voice cracked.
"I hated myself. For not being there. For not protecting her. When I heard she died… I broke too."
A single tear slipped down her cheek.
"Then your uncle brought you to me. Her son. The only piece of her left. And I swore to protect you where I had failed her."
Aoi's lips parted, breath shaky.
"I thought giving you a home, a family… maybe marrying you to Ren would give you safety, a future. I never imagined… this."
Silence filled the room. Heavy. Raw.
"I'm sorry, Aoi," Julia whispered. "I thought I was saving you."
The room was quiet, save for the soft ticking of the antique clock.
Julia sat still, eyes lowered, her polished façade finally cracking under the weight of her confession. For years, she had carried this guilt alone, buried beneath her strength. Now, with the truth laid bare, she looked smaller—like someone who had finally allowed herself to feel.
Aoi stared at her, his heart aching in a way he hadn't expected.
She had always been poised, collected. But now... she looked just as broken as he often felt.
He hesitated for a moment, then slowly reached out, placing his delicate hand over hers.
"…You didn't fail her," he whispered.
Julia looked up, startled.
"You didn't save her… but you saved me."
His voice trembled slightly, but there was warmth in it—gentle, sincere.
"You gave me a home when no one else wanted me. You gave me love when I didn't think I deserved any. That… that means everything."
Julia's lips parted, but no words came out.
It's not your fault," Aoi added softly.
Her eyes shimmered again, but this time, they were filled with quiet gratitude."I see her in you," she said. "But you… you're stronger."
Aoi smiled faintly.
"I'm trying to be."
He leaned in and hugged her, the kind of hug that didn't need words—just warmth.
And for the first time in years, Julia allowed herself to cry.
Not as Ren's mother.
Not as Jane's grieving friend.
But as a woman who had finally found forgiveness—in the boy her heart never stopped protecting.
--