Mommy…. do you know him?

Sienna’s POV

“Mommy!!!”

The triplets screamed in unison the moment the front door opened, their voices bouncing around the hallway with enough excitement to wake the entire neighborhood. Before I could even step inside properly, three small tornadoes came rushing at me, Max with his missing front tooth, Milo with his forever-messy curls, and Maya clutching her stuffed unicorn like a prized possession.

“Mommy, Milo said I can’t be a superhero when I’m older!” Max reported instantly, cheeks puffed up, deep ocean-blue eyes shimmering with a mixture of betrayal and righteous anger.

“That’s because he said Mr. Bunny Whiskers shouldn’t eat with us in the dining room!” Milo countered, stepping forward with the confidence of a small lawyer presenting his case. “But he can! Mr. Bunny Whiskers always behaves!”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Maya, quick as ever, squeezed herself between her brothers.

“Mommy, did you get me the Barbie doll? I told Miss Amaya to call you and she didn’t!” she complained, crossing her arms dramatically. “I reminded her two times. Two!”

Miss Amaya, their nanny, just stood by the dining table with the look of a woman who had seen too much for a single day.

I blinked, my luggage still in my hand, overwhelmed but smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. God, I missed them. Missed this chaotic sweetness.

“You,” I said gently, cupping Milo’s face, “can be anything you want when you’re grown. Superhero, scientist, dragon tamer… anything.”

He broke into a giggle.

“And Mr. Bunny Whiskers can eat dinner with you,” I added.

Milo gasped, triumphant. “SEE, MAX? MOMMY SAID SO!”

Max groaned dramatically. “Ugh. Fine.”

“Motheeeer,” Maya dragged the word out, tapping her foot. “What about me?”

I dipped my hand into my bag, praying silently that I hadn’t forgotten, and thank heavens, my fingers touched plastic.

I pulled out the Barbie.

Maya’s scream was immediate.

“YAY!!!” She snatched it from my hand like a pirate discovering treasure. She tore the wrapper apart with a grin big enough to light up the whole house.

“Mommy, Uncle Desmond brought something for you,” Max said suddenly, pointing toward the hallway.

I raised an eyebrow. “He didn’t tell me that.”

The triplets’ “uncle” title was more of a convenient lie. One that kept them from questioning too deeply. If I didn’t provide answers, they interrogated me like trained agents.

Speaking of the devil, my phone vibrated.

I looked at my phone as Desmond’s message popped up:

“How was the journey? Hope you finally learned how to make proper pasta. I’d love some.”

“Get ready for tonight’s gala. Gabriel’s going to be there.”

Gabriel.

The name slid down my spine like ice.

I rolled my eyes at Desmond’s pasta comment, pretending the small smile tugging at my lips wasn’t there. Desmond always managed to annoy me and be charming at the same time. A gift and a curse.

“Alright, you three,” I clapped my hands. “Mommy needs a shower. Miss Amaya, help them settle, please.”

Amaya nodded gratefully.

When I got to my room, I nearly choked.

A gift box, slick, red, and elegant, sat on my bed like it owned the place.

My brows knitted. “Why did Amaya let him into my room?”

Attached to the box was a note:

“You don’t have to squeeze your face like there’s a lime in it. I told Amaya to place it gently on your bed. Just open it. —D”

Typical Desmond.

Inside was a satin-red dress. Thin straps. A slit that could cause a scandal. A neckline that suggested my chest should introduce itself to the world.

I groaned loudly.

But it was beautiful. I shook the thought away and reached for my iPad.

Except it wasn’t in my bag, or on the dresser, or anywhere.

Oh God.

My stomach twisted.

I had left it at the airport.

Sure, I could buy a new one. But the videos of the kids, my notes, my personal files? No way I was losing that.

I rushed out again. “Amaya! I need to go back to the airport.”

“Milo and Max are asleep,” she said. “But Maya…”

Before she could finish, Maya was already beside me, eyes wide, voice sweet.

“Mommy pleeeeaaaase,” she begged, clutching her new Barbie like it was a bribe. “Let me follow you. I’ll be the quietest girl in the whole world. I won’t even blink loudly.”

Her eyes, God, Gabriel’s eyes. Large, innocent, and heart-melting.

I always put contacts, but she didn’t like them, so I let her be.

I sighed, defeated. “Fine. But no running. No wandering. No questions every five seconds.”

“I promise!” She bounced, careful not to wake her brothers.

The airport was busy but manageable. Thankfully, the lost-and-found section had kept my iPad safe. The staff returned it with a smile. Relief washed over me like a warm blanket.

“Let’s go, baby,” I told Maya, taking her hand.

We were heading toward the exit, my heart finally settling…

Until suddenly…

I didn’t feel her hand anymore.

“Maya?” No response. I turned left, right, and behind.

But still no response.

“Maya!” My voice cracked. Panic rose so fast my knees weakened.

I spun, searching the crowd, heartbeat pounding in my ears.

Then…

“Mommy!” Her voice rang from behind me.

I whipped around and froze.

My world stilled.

There Maya stood, but she wasn’t alone. Someone held her hand.

A man.

Tall. Dark suit. Familiar posture. Familiar aura.

Too familiar.

And when he lifted his head, I forgot how to breathe.

Five years. After five years of silence, years of pain. Five years of healing that wasn’t really healing.

And there he was.

Holding my daughter’s hand like he had every right.

His grip on her was gentle, protective, and natural. Too natural.

But his eyes…

They were burning into mine with a storm I’d hoped never to face again.

“Hello,” he said softly, voice deep, filled with something dangerous. “Long time.”

I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t swallow. Even blinking felt difficult.

My pulse hammered. My palms dampened.

My entire body went cold.

Maya looked between us, confused.

“Mommy… do you know him?”