ด้วยรักตลอดไป (With Love, Forever)

Jackson

The house was quiet.

Xinxin had fallen asleep easily after such a full day, her small body curled up under the blankets, her breathing soft and even. I had lingered by her door for a moment, watching her, making sure she was truly at peace. The zoo had done its magic—giving her a day of joy, of normalcy, away from everything else.

I wished I could freeze moments like this.

But reality always had a way of creeping back in.

With a tired sigh, I walked back to the living room, noticing the faint scent of wine still lingering in the air from earlier. Jeff had only just left, and though the evening had been calm, something about the way he had looked at me before going stuck with me.

There had been something unspoken in his gaze. A quiet understanding. A warmth that I wasn't sure how to name yet.

Shaking my head, I ran a hand through my hair and made my way to the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water instead of another drink. I didn't need more alcohol clouding my thoughts. I needed clarity.

I took a sip, trying to settle myself, when my phone vibrated on the counter.

Jeff.

"Just got home. Hope you get some rest tonight."

I exhaled, allowing a small smile to tug at my lips. Even now, he still checked in.

'You too. Thanks for tonight." I hesitated before adding, "It meant a lot."

I set my phone down, leaning against the counter, letting the silence of the house wrap around me.

And then, for some reason, a strange feeling settled in my chest.

Something wasn't right.

I wasn't sure if it was just exhaustion or my mind playing tricks on me, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted while I was in my room.

That feeling only worsened when my phone vibrated again.

But this time, it wasn't Jeff.

It was an unknown number.

I hesitated before opening the message, my fingers tightening around the device as I read the words.

"We need to talk. Please, Jackson."

I felt my stomach drop. I didn't need to guess who it was.

My ex-wife.

She hadn't contacted me directly like this in years. And after what had happened earlier today, I had assumed she would go through her lawyers. But this? This was unexpected.

A part of me wanted to ignore it. Pretend I never saw it. But deep down, I knew that wouldn't make this go away.

I gritted my teeth, running a hand down my face.

For one day, just one day, I had managed to forget about her. About the custody battle. About everything weighing on me.

And now, here she was again, finding her way back into my life.

I didn't respond. Not yet.

Instead, I walked over to the couch, sinking down onto it, my head resting against the back of the cushions.

The day had been good—Xinxin had laughed, had smiled, had been happy. I didn't want this to take that away from me.

But I had a feeling that whatever conversation was coming next...

It wasn't going to be easy.

The moment I put my phone down, it started ringing.

I stared at the screen, my chest tightening as I saw the unknown number flashing again.

She wasn't going to wait.

For a moment, I considered ignoring it. Just letting it ring out. But deep down, I knew I couldn't keep running from this. With a deep breath, I pressed accept and brought the phone to my ear.

"Jackson."

Her voice was softer than I remembered. More hesitant. It wasn't the sharp, confident tone I had braced myself for. But I wasn't going to let that fool me.

"What do you want?" My voice came out flat, tired. I didn't have the energy for pleasantries.

She sighed. "I figured you wouldn't answer my message, so I called instead."

"You've got my attention. Say what you need to say."

There was a pause, and I could hear her inhale sharply, as if steadying herself. "I saw you today," she finally said. "With Xinxin."

My jaw tightened. So that's why she was reaching out. "What about it?"

"She looked happy," she admitted. "Really happy."

I closed my eyes, gripping the phone a little tighter. "She is happy. And I intend to keep it that way."

"Jackson, please." There was an edge of desperation in her voice now. "I know I don't deserve much from you. But I need you to hear me out."

I let out a slow breath, rubbing my temple. "Fine. I'm listening."

"I was wrong." The words came out quickly, as if she had been holding them back for years. "I was young. I was scared. And I made the biggest mistake of my life walking away from her—from you."

I clenched my jaw. "You didn't just walk away. You abandoned us. You left me to raise her alone."

"I know." Her voice cracked. "I know, Jackson. And there hasn't been a single day I haven't regretted it."

I wanted to believe that. I really did. But regret didn't erase the years of absence. It didn't change the fact that she had only resurfaced now—now that Xinxin was growing, now that we had found our rhythm, now that she could waltz back in and claim to care.

"So why now?" I asked coldly. "Why not five years ago? Why not three? Why do you suddenly want to be her mother now?"

Another silence. Then, a shaky breath. "Because I'm finally in a place where I can be."

I almost laughed. Almost. "And you think that's enough? That just because you're 'ready' now, you can walk back into her life and expect everything to fall into place?"

"No," she whispered. "I don't expect it to be easy. But I want a chance."

I shook my head. "She doesn't even know who you are."

"Then let me change that."

That was the part that scared me the most. Because what if—what if Xinxin actually wanted to know her? What if she asked for her?

Would I be able to say no?

I ran a hand down my face. "I'm not making any promises," I muttered. "But I won't have you confusing her, either. She's a child, and she's happy. I won't let you ruin that."

"I don't want to ruin it, Jackson. I want to be part of it."

Her voice was softer now, pleading. But I wasn't ready to believe her. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

"We'll see," I said at last. "I have a meeting with you and your lawyer on Friday. We'll talk then."

"Jackson—"

"Goodnight."

I hung up before she could say another word, staring at my phone, my heart hammering.

She wanted a chance.

I wasn't sure I could give her one.