The living room where Miya, Ren, and Yaina were gathered was heavy with an obvious discomfort.
Ren shifted on the couch, trying not to look directly at either of the two women. Miya sat beside him, her legs crossed and a calm expression that didn't quite reach her eyes. Yaina, in the armchair opposite them, toyed with the edge of her dress.
"What's wrong, Ren? You look a bit nervous," Miya said, breaking the silence.
By that moment, she had already noticed that Ren wasn't behaving normally.
"Why do you say that, Miya?"
"Why are you sweating?"
Ren forced a smile and replied.
"I'm not nervous. It's just really hot."
"That could be," Miya agreed, fanning herself with her hand. "The forecast said the temperature would reach 30 degrees today."
"Yes, that's right," Ren nodded.
Miya responded with a smile. Then she turned her head toward Yaina to speak to her.
"I haven't seen you in a while, Yaina. Why the sudden visit?"
Yaina slowly lifted her gaze and said:
"I just came to visit Ren. I wanted to see how this troublesome kid was doing."
Miya tilted her head, acknowledging the comment.
"But are you only here to visit him?"
"Yes, and to help Ren with a matter."
"What kind of matter?"
At that moment, it seemed like Miya was interrogating Yaina.
"Well… in the kitchen."
"Ah, I see," Yaina murmured, though her tone suggested otherwise. She paused, glancing sideways at Ren. "It must be nice to have someone who comes to help so often. I haven't been that lucky lately."
Ren swallowed.
"And you, Miya, why are you here?"
Yaina counterattacked, but it was useless because Miya replied calmly.
"I came to see my boyfriend."
Silence stretched for several seconds. Ren tried to open his mouth to explain, but at that moment the door knocked loudly, breaking the atmosphere.
Ren jumped to his feet.
"I'll see who it is."
When he opened the door, he saw Sanli standing there, his face sweaty and tired.
"Son, have you seen Yaina?"
Ren frowned.
"Why are you looking for her, Dad?"
"We had a problem, it's nothing serious, son… but she's inside, right?"
Ren hesitated for a second. He wanted to protect Yaina, but the truth was inevitable.
Even so, he would try.
"No, Dad… she's not here."
From inside, Miya and Yaina listened in silence.
When Ren said that his father's wife wasn't there, Miya turned her gaze toward her. At that moment, she saw that Yaina's eyes were empty, fixed on nothing, as if she had completely disconnected from everything around her.
But then, Yaina raised her voice, breaking the lie.
"I'm here."
Sanli, upon hearing Yaina's voice, rushed inside, pushing his son aside.
"Yaina… I…" he stammered, kneeling in front of her. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it. I regret it. I only love you, and no one else. I'll change, I'll spend more time with you, but please… don't leave me."
Yaina didn't look away. She only watched him, resigned.
"It's fine," she murmured.
Sanli lifted his head, tears falling from his eyes.
"You forgive me? Really?"
"I forgive you, Sanli," she said, leaning forward to help him up. "I forgive you."
Ren's father couldn't stop crying.
Sanli hugged Yaina tightly, but she barely responded.
"Then… will you come back home with me?"
"Yes. I'll go back."
Ren immediately stepped forward, his face furious.
"No, Dad. She's not going with you."
Sanli looked at him, confused.
"Why? Yaina already forgave me."
"No! Dad, you cheated on her… you betrayed her! You can't take her back as if nothing happened."
Miya stood up, worried.
"Ren, what's going on?"
Sanli stood up, confused.
"Son, that's between Yaina and me. She already forgave me. Don't get involved."
His voice was firm, but Ren didn't give in.
"No, Dad. She didn't forgive you, she's just lying. She won't stay with you."
"Then where is she going to be?" Sanli asked.
"Here, in my house," Ren said firmly.
Sanli frowned, anger rising.
"You have no right to decide that."
"Sanli, Ren is confused. I'll go with you, please calm down," Yaina intervened in a very flat voice.
Sanli smiled in relief, but Ren didn't support that answer.
"Dad, you can't take her. Not after what you did."
Those words made Sanli step forward and grab Ren by the shirt.
"This is none of your business!"
Miya ran toward them.
"Sir, let him go," she said, trying to pull Sanli's hand away.
Sanli looked at her for a second, then released Ren, fearful.
"I'm sorry, son… I… sorry."
Ren didn't respond. He stayed still, rubbing his chest.
"Sanli, let's go, please."
"Yes."
Ren, accepting Yaina's words, watched as she left with his father, or rather, that man.
"Take care, Ren," Sanli said at the door, ashamed.
Yaina looked at him for a moment, and without saying anything, walked out after Sanli.
The door closed.
Ren and Miya were left alone in the living room.
Miya sighed, crossing her arms.
"You wanted her to stay here, didn't you?"
Ren didn't answer immediately. He lowered his gaze.
"Listen to me, Ren…" Miya said. "You can't save everyone. Yaina chose to go with him."
Ren lifted his head.
"She didn't choose. She just gave up. Her eyes… they were empty. Like she didn't care about anything. Why?"
"Ren, that's their problem. I don't know why you're getting involved in it. Besides, why did you tell her she could stay?"
Ren fixed his gaze on Miya and saw that her eyes were very serious.
"She asked me if she could stay," Ren said, a little nervous. "I just…"
Miya interrupted him.
"And you agreed?"
"Yes."
"I think it's better if I go."
Ren looked at her, surprised.
"Don't you want to stay for a while?"
Miya walked toward the door without looking at him, and before leaving, she said:
"No. Go look for Yaina and help her. You're a very good person, right? Do it and see if you get something out of it."
The door closed behind Miya.
Ren was left alone.
"What did I just do? No… what just happened?"
The day that was supposed to be happy wasn't. Everything felt broken, and he didn't know how to fix it.
Chapter 19: Unexpected Reconciliation