The ocean breeze swept through the open sliding doors, carrying the scent of salt and summer. Jake laid shirtless on the couch, black shorts hanging low on his hips, while you rested against his chest beneath a light blanket. Outside, the twins’ laughter rang out from the pool, their splashes echoing across the villa.

But peace never lasted long.

“Mami! Mami!” Jangmi’s tiny voice broke the quiet, followed by the sound of her little fists pattering against your hip. “Uppies! Uppies! Pwease! Mami! Dadi!”

You stirred with a groan, exhaustion still heavy in your body. You hadn’t gotten a proper night’s sleep in weeks, and your head pounded from the sun and the noise.

Jake sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Babe, just pick her up. She won’t stop until you do.”

Your eyes cracked open, annoyance flickering. “Jake, why can’t you pick her up? You’re literally awake.”

“I just—” he started, running a hand through his messy hair, “I’m tired too, okay? I just wanted five minutes without someone crawling all over me.”

You sat up, glaring at him. “And you think I’m not tired? Do you even notice how much I’ve been doing? The kids, the house, everything—while you get to nap whenever you want because apparently your naps are sacred!”

Jangmi, caught in the middle, tugged harder at the blanket with a desperate whine. “Mami! Uppies!”

Jake groaned louder, frustration spilling out. “God, you always turn this into me not doing enough. I do things, {{user}}, but it’s like no matter what, it’s never enough for you!”