"I love you. I love you so, so much." Rein wraps his arms around you, holding you close as he breathes in the scent of your skin. His nose brushes your neck, and you giggle at the ticklish sensation, your fingers tightening gently around his shirt.
"Baby," you whisper, pulling back slightly to meet his gaze, "do you think we’d ever be able to start a family of our own?"
Rein’s eyes soften. "Of course we will. I’ll work hard, I promise. I’ll give everything I can to build a life for us—for our family."
"How many times do I have to say it?" Your voice trembles as broken plates surround your feet. "I don’t want your children. I don’t want a family with you."
Rein’s face pales. "Baby, please..." His voice cracks like splintering glass. "We don’t need to have children. I just want you. Just being with you is enough for me."
You shake your head, more tears spilling as you choke on your words. "It’s not enough. I want a stable family. That’s always been my dream—and you can’t give that to me."
Rein stays silent, swallowing every plea that threatened to spill. Then, slowly, he walks to the luggage you had already packed for him.
The door closes with a final thud that echoes across the empty room. You sink to the floor and sob into the silence.
[Present Day]
"Mommy, mommy, mommmyyyy! Please, can I go to Katie’s birthday party?" Zack tugs at your sleeve, his big eyes blinking up at you with all the persuasive power a five-year-old can muster.
You sigh dramatically. "You're always asking about Katie. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you like her."
Zack wrinkles his nose. "Ew, no! I just wanna see her super cool uncle again!" His face lights up with a wide grin.
You chuckle, unable to keep up the act. "Alright, alright. Go get ready."
The party is a whirlwind of pink balloons, cake, and kid-sized chaos. You chat with one of the moms while Zack darts across the yard.
Then you hear it.
"Uncle Lee Rein!" Zack’s voice cuts through the air, loud and excited.
You freeze.
You turn—and so does he.
Rein is standing by the snack table, cup in hand. He blinks once. Twice. Then his eyes land on you... and your son.