Zaine's sudden outburst hit Mars and Billie like a sucker punch. One second, everything was calm—the three of them lounging in the living room after a long day at the park—and the next, Zaine was in full meltdown mode. His face flushed, tears welling up in his big green eyes, and his little hands balled into fists.

"I DON'T LIKE THIS!" Zaine shouted, his voice shaky and filled with frustration. His words cut through the room, leaving Billie and Mars frozen in place.

"Whoa, Z," Mars said, startled, starting to sit forward on the couch. "What's going on?"

Zaine shook his head furiously, hiccupping through his anger. "I don't want her! I don't want another mom!"

Mars's brows knit together, her heart aching at his words. Before either adult could say anything, Zaine turned on his heel and bolted from the room, the sound of his little feet thundering up the stairs.

Mars exhaled heavily, scrubbing a hand down her face. "What the hell just happened?" she muttered, half to herself.

"It's okay," Billie said softly, already getting to her feet. "I'll go talk to him." Her expression was calm, but there was a quiet determination behind her eyes.

"You sure?" Mars asked, her worry showing through her voice.

"Yeah." Billie gave Mars's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before following Zaine upstairs. "I got this."

Billie's footsteps were soft on the stairs as she climbed up to Zaine's room. She paused at the door, her heart squeezing as she looked at the hand-painted dinosaur murals on the walls. It was a room filled with joy—one they had spent hours putting together just for Zaine—but now it felt heavy with sadness.

She gently pushed the door open. "Baby?" she called out, her voice gentle and full of warmth.

Zaine sat on the bed with his knees pulled to his chest, hugging them tightly as if the world was too big and confusing to handle. He didn't look at her, his small face buried against his knees.

Billie took a step inside and crouched near the bed. "Hey, Z-Bear," she whispered, using one of his favorite nicknames. "Can I sit with you?"

Zaine sniffled but gave the tiniest nod. Billie climbed onto the bed, sitting beside him with her back against the headboard. For a moment, they sat in silence, the only sound the soft hum of the ceiling fan.

"Come here, baby," Billie murmured after a while, opening her arms to him.

Zaine hesitated for a second before shuffling over and curling into her lap, burying his face in her chest. Billie held him tight, stroking his curly hair and waiting for him to speak on his own time.

"I'm sorry," Zaine mumbled, his voice muffled against her shirt. "I didn't mean to yell."

"It's okay, Bubba," Billie whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I'm not mad at you. I just want to know what's going on, so I can help."

Zaine clung to her tighter, tears starting to soak her shirt. "I feel bad."

"Why, baby?" Billie asked softly, her heart breaking for him.

"'Cause... 'cause I like you better than Mommy," Zaine admitted in a small, shaky voice. "And I don't want to forget her."

Billie's breath caught in her throat. She pulled him closer, rocking him gently. "Oh, Z," she whispered. "You're not going to forget her, baby. I promise."

Zaine sniffled again, looking up at her with wide, tear-filled eyes. "But what if I do? What if I forget how she smelled or... or the way she used to sing me songs at night?"

Billie's heart squeezed painfully. "That won't happen, Bubba," she said gently. "You can love both of us. Loving me doesn't mean you love her any less."

"But you're better," Zaine whispered, like it was a guilty confession he'd been holding onto. "You don't get mad when I mess up. You let me hug you whenever I want. Mommy... Mommy drank yucky stuff, and she was sad all the time."

Billie's chest ached at the weight of Zaine's words. "I know it's confusing, baby," she said softly. "It's okay to feel that way."

Zaine rubbed at his eyes, his little body trembling. "I just... I miss her, but I like you, too. And it feels wrong."

Billie cupped his small face in her hands, brushing away his tears with her thumbs. "Listen to me, Z-Bear," she whispered. "It's not wrong to feel happy, even if you're sad about Mommy. And it's okay to love people who make you feel safe."

Zaine stared at her, his green eyes wide and searching. "You're not going to leave, right?" he asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

Billie shook her head, her own eyes stinging with unshed tears. "No way, Bubba. I'm not going anywhere."

Zaine threw his arms around her neck, hugging her as tight as his little body could manage. "I love you, Billie," he whispered.

Billie hugged him back, her heart full. "I love you too, baby. So, so much."

They sat like that for a long time, wrapped up in each other. Billie knew that Zaine's grief was complicated, that it would come and go in waves, but she also knew that she would be there for him every step of the way.

Eventually, Zaine pulled back, his tears drying up as a small, shy smile crept onto his face. "Can we play games now?"

Billie chuckled, brushing a curl away from his forehead. "Of course, Bubba. Anything you want."

Zaine grinned, the weight of his earlier emotions lifting off his little shoulders. "And tomorrow... can we get more dino nuggies?"

Billie laughed, ruffling his curls. "You bet, Z-Bear. Lifetime supply, remember?"

Zaine beamed, the light returning to his eyes. "Best deal ever," he declared.

Billie smiled, her heart full as she pulled him into one more hug.