Isa's arms were sore from the weight of her sleeping twins, who had finally drifted off after an exhausting day filled with travel, excitement, and emotional turbulence. Sofia, with her curls cascading over her face, was nestled against Isa's chest, her small body warm and fragile in her mother's embrace. Mateo, still a little too young to understand the complexities of his father's absence, rested heavily against Isa's shoulder, his little hands clutching at her jacket.

She'd told herself it wouldn't be too bad, that she'd manage just like she always did. But the reality of carrying both of them from the car to the hotel room hit her harder than she expected. Each step was a reminder of everything she was juggling-her career, her children, and the ache of watching Jey's absence stretch farther with every passing day.

As she approached the entrance to the hotel, Isa let out a quiet sigh, the weight of her exhaustion settling in. She could barely keep her eyes open, but she had no choice. The twins needed to be settled, and the hotel was too far from the parking lot for her to make two trips.

Just as she reached for the door, it swung open.

Jey.

He stood there, eyes locking onto her for a moment before shifting his gaze down to the twins in her arms. The tension between them was thick, like a wall that had been built and rebuilt over time, but seeing him standing there, so unexpectedly, brought a flicker of something she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Need help?" His voice was quiet, almost unsure, but it didn't take much to hear the genuine offer beneath the hesitation.

Isa blinked, surprised. She didn't expect him to be the one to step forward.

"I got them," Isa replied, her tone softer than she intended. Her arms were beginning to tremble, and her tired eyes betrayed her. She had carried them this far; she didn't want to admit that she might need help.

Jey glanced at her, his expression unreadable. Then, without waiting for a response, he stepped forward, gently easing Sofia out of Isa's arms and cradling her carefully against his chest.

Mateo shifted in Isa's arms, now awake and blinking sleepily. His little hand reached out for Jey, and it was a small, unspoken moment, one that tugged at something deep inside Isa.

Jey's movements were tentative but kind as he adjusted Mateo in his arms, making sure both children were comfortable. Isa watched him, her heart a mix of confusion and cautious hope. This wasn't the Jey she had known in recent years-the one who seemed to forget his role as a father whenever it suited him. No, this was someone else. Someone who, for a moment, seemed to remember what really mattered.

"Thank you," Isa whispered, her voice strained.

Jey didn't respond at first, just shifted the weight of the children, adjusting them so they were comfortable in his hold. There was a softness in the way he moved, and for the first time in a long time, Isa saw the man she had fallen in love with-before everything had gotten so complicated.

They walked together, side by side, into the hotel lobby. It was quiet, almost empty at this hour, and the usual buzz of backstage chaos felt miles away.

"I should've called," Jey murmured, his voice low, as they reached the elevator. His eyes were downcast, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "I've been..." He trailed off, as if searching for the right words. "I've been a damn fool, Isa. I should've been here for them, for you."

Isa didn't say anything at first, unsure of how to respond. Her emotions were tangled, still raw from their confrontation earlier. She couldn't forget the past, the years of neglect and unspoken hurt, but right now... right now, the kids needed him. And for the first time in ages, Jey seemed to recognize that.

She nodded, keeping her voice steady. "You can't change the past, Jey. But you can start now. Start by being here."

The elevator dinged, and Jey stepped in, careful to hold the door open for her. As the doors closed and they ascended to their floor, the silence between them was different-less strained, less heavy. For a brief moment, they both just existed in that space, neither of them needing to fill the silence with words.

When they reached their floor, Jey followed Isa to the room. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, immediately setting Sofia down on the bed and pulling the blanket over her. Mateo stirred but remained asleep as Isa tucked him in beside his sister.

Jey lingered by the door, his eyes fixed on the two small figures tucked into the bed.

"They're good kids," he said quietly, almost to himself.

Isa didn't respond right away. She watched him from the corner of her eye as she finished settling the twins. There was something different about him tonight, something that made her heart beat a little faster.

"They are," Isa replied, her voice soft but firm. "They deserve better than what we've given them."

Jey stepped closer, his gaze lingering on the children for a moment longer. "I'm gonna fix this, Isa. I swear it."

She didn't know if she could believe him just yet. The scars of their past ran deep, and trust was something that couldn't be rebuilt overnight. But in that moment, seeing him care for the twins-seeing him take responsibility-Isa felt a glimmer of hope she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time.

Jey looked at her then, his eyes searching hers, as if trying to read her, trying to figure out what came next.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The noise of the hotel seemed to fade, and all that was left was the quiet between them-the unspoken understanding that they were both standing on the edge of something new.

But for now, that was enough.

And maybe, just maybe, they could start to rebuild what they had once lost.