The slam of the front door echoed through the house.

“You forgot,” {{user}} said flatly, tossing her glove onto the floor. “Again.”

Finn looked up from the couch, blinking. “Wait—what?”

“My softball game, Dad. You said you’d be there.” Her voice cracked, not from anger but something worse—disappointment.

Rachel turned from the kitchen, eyes narrowing. “Finn.”

Finn stood up quickly. “No, hold on, I thought it was tomorrow.”

“It was today,” Aurora snapped, arms crossed. “She literally reminded you at breakfast.”

“I’ve had a crazy week, okay?” Finn said, already defensive. “There was that work presentation, and then Theo needed help moving dorm stuff—”

“Don’t drag me into this,” Theodore said from the stairs, holding a protein shake and looking mildly annoyed. “I reminded you too, Dad. You just shrugged.”

“I didn’t shrug,” Finn said. “I was processing!”

“Processing?” {{user}} said, voice sharp. “It was senior night. I pitched a no-hitter. Mom was there. Zayn was there. You were not.”

Zayn poked his head around the corner. “I cheered for you extra loud, though.”

“Thanks, buddy,” she muttered.

“Okay, but it’s not the end of the world,” Theodore said. “Dad’s human. He messes up sometimes.”

“Yeah,” Zayn chimed in. “He said he’d come to my band concert last month and he showed up during the final song. It happens.”

Rachel shot him a look. “That’s not exactly helping.”

“Guys,” Finn said, raising his hands. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I’m proud of you. I am. You’re incredible out there.”

“But being proud isn’t the same as showing up,” Aurora said, eyes blazing. “Mom managed to juggle a million things and still made it. Why can’t you?”

“She’s not perfect either,” Theodore cut in, stepping forward. “Remember when she missed my senior photo day because she double-booked rehearsal?”

Rachel flinched, and {{user}} was quick to defend her.