A week later, Leo married Mrs. Rose and had two children with her—Mickey and another. He never looked at me. He never looked at Akira.
But he loved Yuke.
One day, when Akira was still very small, he brought his father a cup of tea.
"Father, I brought you tea," Akira said, holding the cup with his tiny, chubby hands.
He was so small compared to the others in the house—though he was the eldest. He had a round face, little round feet, and a soft, small tummy.
Leo didn't even look at him.
He picked up the cup and placed it on the table while sitting on his chair.
"Hmm."
Akira stood there, smiling up at him.
Then Yuke came in.
Yuke was also small, but less chubby—slightly taller even though he was younger. Yuke was five, Akira was six. Mickey was still a newborn at that time.
"Father, I brought cookies," Yuke said brightly.
Leo smiled at Yuke. He took the tray and patted his head.
"Such a good boy, Yuke."
Yuke giggled.
Akira stood behind him, watching.
He watched Yuke receive all the love and affection he never got. Slowly, with teary eyes, Akira tiptoed back to my room and began to cry.
My heart was already shattered.
I pulled him into my arms.
"What happened, Akira baby? Did someone scold you?"
He shook his head, sobbing.
"Dad doesn't look at me when I help him… He pats Yuke, but not me."
He broke down.
Something inside me broke completely.
"I'm sorry, Akira… it's all my fault," I whispered, crying with him.
The next day, Leo was playing in the garden of the mansion—with Yuke, Mickey, and Rose.
Akira sat on the porch, watching them with a small smile.
I walked over and sat beside him.
He looked at me and hugged me tightly.
"I want to play with Father too, Mom."
"Then why don't you join them?" I asked softly, touching his head.
He hesitated.
"Father won't let me… He doesn't want to play with me. That's why I'm watching."
The pain in my chest was unbearable.
I wiped my tears and smiled at him.
"Then Mama will play with you, okay baby?"
His face lit up.
"Really?"
I smiled and lifted him into my arms.
"Let's play together in our room."
"Yeah!" he laughed happily.
That evening, Mickey—who had just learned to sit—was on the couch. Akira was in the same room, holding his ball.
When Mickey tried to grab the TV remote from the table, I saw Akira rush toward him.
"No, Mickey! You'll hurt yourself!" he said, using all his strength to push him back. He was so small, barely able to reach the couch.
When Akira thought Mickey was safe, he turned to the left—
---
Mickey suddenly jumped from the couch.
I felt my heart stop.
He was about to hit the floor.
Before I could even shout, Akira rushed forward. He jumped in between them, his small body taking the fall as Mickey landed on top of him.
Akira's head hit the floor hard.
A dull sound echoed through the room.
Mickey started crying immediately—loud, frightened cries filling the air.
Akira didn't cry.
He lay there for a second, stunned, his small hands still instinctively holding Mickey as if protecting him.
Rose rushed in.
She grabbed Mickey from on top of Akira, pulling him into her arms without even looking down.
"My baby!" she cried, clutching him tightly.
Akira slowly pushed himself up, one hand touching his head. His vision was blurry, but he stood anyway.
Rose turned on him, her face twisted with anger.
"You tried to hurt my son!"
Akira shook his head desperately.
"No, Aunty Rose, he was—"
"I don't want to listen to you," she snapped. "I'm taking you to your dad. He will teach you a lesson."
She grabbed Akira's wrist and dragged him toward the office.
Akira stumbled, his legs weak.
Inside the office, Leo looked up from his work and removed his reading glasses.
"What happened, Rose?"
Rose sobbed dramatically, pointing at Akira.
"Honey, he tried to push Mickey off the couch!"
Leo's eyes widened. Rage flashed across his face.
"What?!"
He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor, and stepped toward Akira.
Akira was already shaking, his head lowered, tears dripping onto the carpet.
"You're hurting people now?" Leo shouted.
Akira flinched violently.
"Father… I—I—"
His words broke apart.
I burst into the room.
My chest was burning when I saw Akira shaking like that.
I rushed forward, pulling him into my arms, holding him tightly against my chest. His body was trembling.
"It's okay, baby," I whispered, kissing his cheeks again and again. "Mama is here."
Leo turned to me, furious.
"Do you know what he did?"
"I know," I said sharply, lifting my head. "And my son would never do that. It's impossible."
Leo let out a cold smirk.
"So everyone here is lying? Impossible? How?"
"Because he can't even reach the couch top," I snapped. "That thing is too big for him."
Leo frowned.
"Is that so? But—"
I tightened my hold around Akira and glared at him.
"You know what, Leo? I am leaving this house."
I turned and walked out, Akira still clinging to me.
Behind me, Leo rubbed his head in frustration and followed.
---
In my room, Akira stood silently near the bed while I opened my suitcase. My hands were shaking as I started throwing clothes inside.
He didn't speak.
He just watched.
When Leo entered the room, Akira flinched and hid behind my legs, gripping my clothes tightly.
"What do you want now?" I snapped. "We're leaving, just like you wanted."
"There's no need for this," Leo said, stepping closer.
I shoved him back.
"Don't you dare touch me. I will not live in a place where my child is questioned and tested every minute."
Leo looked at Akira, who was peeking out from behind me with frightened eyes.
I zipped the suitcase shut.
Leo sighed and grabbed my wrist, pinning me lightly against the wall.
"You can't just leave me like this."
I struggled, pushing against him.
"What is this behavior, Leo?!"
He frowned.
"Look, Astra… I will change. I'll love you again, okay?"
"And what about Akira?" I demanded.
He hesitated.
"…I'll try."
I laughed bitterly.
"I don't want to stay here. You will never change. And I'm leaving Yuke with you."
Leo's voice rose.
"Don't test my patience, Astra!"
Akira's body trembled as he watched us.
"Mom… Dad… don't fight for me…"
My heart shattered.
I looked down at Akira, then back at Leo.
I pulled away, grabbed the suitcase, and lifted Akira into my arms.
As I turned to leave, Leo grabbed my hand again, panic clear on his face.
"Not about me—but what about Yuke? He needs his mother. He's only five."
"And what about this child?" I shouted, pointing to Akira. "He's only six! Doesn't he need love too?!"
My voice broke.
"I won't stay in a house that discriminates. I'll raise my children alone. They don't need a father like you."
I stepped forward—and froze.
Yuke was standing there, tears streaming down his face.
I closed my eyes and sighed.
"Come on, Yuke," I said softly. "We're leaving."
I took his hand.
Leo called out again, but I didn't turn back.
I left with Akira and Yuke.
---
I went to my late grandmother's house—a quiet place in a peaceful village. An old wooden home with a small garden in front, surrounded by kind elderly neighbors.
No one lived there anymore.
But it was safe.
And I didn't want to burden my parents with my pain.