Payday always meant one thing to Alexandra.
Clothes.
Not for herself—never for herself—but for Mira and Luna.
After work, she stopped by the small shop near the bus stop. It wasn't fancy. The lights flickered, and the shelves were crowded, but the children's section always made her pause.
Her fingers brushed over soft fabric. She imagined their smiles already.
"This one will suit Luna," she murmured, holding up a light-blue dress.
"And Mira would love this."
She paid quietly, tucking the neatly folded clothes into a plastic bag like they were something fragile.
When she got home, the girls were doing their homework on the floor.
"Mom!" Luna's eyes lit up first. "You're early!"
Alexandra smiled. "Come here."
She pulled out the bag.
Mira gasped. "Is that for us?"
"For who else?" Alexandra teased.
The girls squealed, dropping everything as they reached for the clothes. Luna held her dress against her chest like it was treasure, spinning in circles.
"I love it!"
"It's so pretty!"
"Thank you, Mom!"
Their happiness filled the room, warm and loud, chasing away the quiet shadows that often followed Alexandra home.
She watched them, heart full and aching at the same time.
So little.
So easy to please.
Mira suddenly paused. "Mom… did you buy anything for yourself?"
Alexandra shook her head lightly. "Maybe next time."
Luna frowned. "You always say that."
Alexandra laughed, brushing Luna's hair back. "Seeing you happy is enough for me."
And it was true.
Later that night, as the girls slept in their new clothes, Alexandra sat at the edge of the bed, watching their steady breaths. Her mind drifted again—to another night, another room, another pair of eyes that once looked at her the same way.
Alicia had smiled like this too.
Alexandra closed her eyes.
Some habits never faded.
Some promises never broke.
And some love…
never asked to be returned.