ด้วยรักตลอดไป (With Love, Forever)

Filler Chapter

[At lawyer's office]

The tension in the room was thick, almost suffocating. Jackson sat stiffly in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, his expression carefully neutral. Across from him, his ex-wife sat with her hands clasped together, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. Between them, their respective lawyers exchanged measured glances, aware that this was not going to be an easy negotiation.

Jackson's lawyer, a composed woman named Ms. Virawathin, adjusted her glasses before speaking. "Before we begin, I'd like to clarify that my client has sole custody of Xinxin, granted to him years ago. Ms. Liu, you relinquished your parental rights at the time. This meeting is to discuss your request to reestablish some form of custody, but my client is under no obligation to agree."

Ms. Liu flinched slightly at the words but lifted her chin. "I understand that, but I want to be in my daughter's life. I'm not asking to take her away from Jackson. I just... I want the opportunity to know her."

Jackson exhaled sharply through his nose, his jaw tightening. "And what exactly do you think that would look like?"

His ex-wife hesitated, as if she hadn't fully thought it through. "Maybe supervised visits at first. I don't expect her to suddenly accept me as her mother, but I'd like to see her. To spend time with her."

Jackson's fingers dug into his arm. "To her, you're just some 'Big Lady' who keeps appearing out of nowhere. She's happy, and I won't let you waltz in and confuse her just because you're feeling guilty."

She flinched again, hurt flashing in her eyes. "It's not just guilt."

"Then what is it?" Jackson snapped. "What do you want from her? From me?"

She swallowed hard. "I want to be part of her life, Jackson. I want to make things right."

Jackson shook his head. "You don't just get to make things right. You left. You were gone for years. You don't get to suddenly decide you want back in." His voice was low, controlled, but there was an undercurrent of anger—of pain—that he couldn't quite hide.

The opposing lawyer, a middle-aged man with graying hair, finally spoke. "Mr. Luo, I understand your concerns. But we have to consider what is in the best interest of the child. While Ms. Liu's absence in the past is undeniable, she is now in a stable place. The court may view the reintroduction of her mother as a potential benefit to Xinxin."

Jackson scoffed. "A benefit? How exactly is it a benefit to turn her world upside down?"

Ms. Virawathin placed a calming hand on his arm before turning back to the other lawyer. "We are not dismissing the possibility of an introduction, but this cannot be rushed. If anything, the decision should be guided by Xinxin herself. She is young, but she is not without feelings. Forcing a relationship onto her could do more harm than good."

His ex-wife looked down; her expression conflicted. "I don't want to force her. I just want a chance."

Jackson let out a slow, frustrated breath. He didn't know what he had expected from this meeting, but it wasn't this—wasn't her sitting across from him looking like she truly regretted it all. And the worst part? A small, traitorous part of him almost believed her.

Almost.

"Let's say we start slow," Ms. Virawathin  continued, her voice steady. "Supervised meetings, if and only if Xinxin expresses interest. No legal custody changes for now. We focus on whether a relationship is even possible before discussing anything further."

His ex-wife bit her lip, then nodded. "That's all I'm asking for."

Jackson leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple. He hated this. Hated the idea of letting her in, even a little. But if Xinxin ever did ask about her mother—if she ever wanted to meet her—he wasn't sure he had it in him to say no.

For now, he would agree to the bare minimum. But he would protect his daughter with everything he had.

[At home]

Jackson sat on the couch, elbows on his knees, fingers laced together as he stared at the floor. The lawyer's meeting had drained him, left his thoughts tangled in ways he hadn't expected. He had gone in prepared to fight, to shut the whole thing down—but now, it wasn't so simple.

Xinxin was in her room, humming to herself as she played with her toys. Oblivious. Innocent. And Jackson hated that he was about to change that.

With a deep breath, he pushed himself up and made his way to her room, leaning against the doorframe. "Xinxin, baby?"

She looked up from her stuffed animals, tilting her head. "Yes, Papa?"

"Can we talk for a bit?"

Xinxin blinked at him before setting down her toy and patting the bed beside her. Jackson hesitated before walking over and sitting down, suddenly aware of how small she still was. How young. And yet, here he was, about to introduce something far too complicated into her world.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked, peering up at him with big, worried eyes.

Jackson's heart clenched. "No, sweetheart. Not at all." He reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I just... I need to tell you something. Something important."

Xinxin swung her legs a little, waiting.

Jackson took a deep breath. "Do you remember the Big Lady, the one you heard me saying was your mom?"

Her small brows furrowed. 

"She's been away for a long time," Jackson continued, keeping his voice gentle. "But now, she wants to see you. To meet you."

Xinxin's fingers stilled. "Why?"

Jackson swallowed. "Because she says she wants to get to know you."

His daughter stared at him for a moment before shifting, hugging her knees to her chest. "Do I have to?"

His heart cracked a little at the quiet question.

"No, baby," he assured her immediately. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. No one is going to make you."

She chewed on her lip, thinking hard. "Is she nice?"

Jackson hesitated. "I... don't know yet."

Xinxin pouted slightly, considering this, before finally shrugging. "I don't think I want to meet her."

Jackson let out a slow breath, his shoulders sagging in relief. "That's okay," he said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You don't have to."

Xinxin wrapped her arms around him in a hug, and Jackson closed his eyes, holding her close. She was still his little girl, still safe in his arms. And as long as she needed him, he wasn't going to let anything change that.