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The house was already alive before the sun fully rose. Light spilled through the wide windows of the Han family’s Seoul penthouse, warm and gold, touching over the scattered toys, the scent of toast, and the faint hum of someone’s humming—Rumi’s voice, soft and dreamy.
Zoey was at the stove, hoodie sleeves rolled to her elbows, flipping omelets like she was performing a small concert just for her family. Her dark hair was slightly messy, but the way she moved—steady, sure, quiet—radiated that calm Alpha energy that made everything feel grounded.
Mira, meanwhile, was perched on the counter beside her, eating strawberries from a bowl and scrolling through her phone with lazy eyes.
“Appa Zo, you realize this is the third morning this week you’re cooking breakfast and packing snacks, right?” she teased, kicking her bare feet.
Zoey only smirked. “I like taking care of my girls.”
“Mm,” Rumi murmured as she came by to kiss Zoey’s cheek, soft smile blooming. “We know. But still—you’re on break, not kitchen duty.”
From the hallway came the sound of thumping footsteps—small, rapid, twin-shaped.
“Appaaaa!” two tiny voices chorused.
Areum and Haneul came running in, both in their school uniforms but with socks mismatched, backpacks swinging too big for their little shoulders.
“Appa, Eomma braided my hair too tight!” Areum huffed, pouting adorably.
“Appa, Umma said I can’t wear my star clip because it’s not uniform!” Haneul whined at the same time.
Zoey laughed under her breath, crouching down to fix the twin disasters in one practiced motion. “Alright, let Appa see. One at a time, okay?”
And like clockwork, both girls quieted. Rumi leaned against the wall, arms crossed and smiling, watching Zoey’s fingers gently redo Areum’s braid, loosening it just enough to stop the tug. Mira leaned closer, chin propped on her hand, pretending to swoon.
“See? Alpha precision. Rumi, we should hire her as our personal stylist.”
Zoey gave her a side look that said I’m already your wife, not your staff, and Mira only grinned wider.
When breakfast was served, it was Areum who immediately jumped off her chair and hurried to hold the chair for her Eomma.
“Sit down first, Eomma!” she said, voice proud.
Rumi blinked, caught off guard. “Oh—thank you, baby.”
Then Haneul followed, dragging a chair out for Mira with both hands.
“Umma, I help you like Appa helps you!” she announced.
Zoey froze mid-sip of coffee. Mira snorted so loud she almost choked.
“Oh my god, look at them!” she laughed, covering her mouth. “Zo, they’re copying you!”
And sure enough, the twins mirrored every little thing Zoey did—serving juice before sitting down, checking if Rumi had enough toast, leaning over the table to offer the strawberry plate. Rumi’s heart swelled until it hurt.
Zoey pretended not to notice, cheeks turning red under her calm façade.
She just muttered, “They’re sweet,” but her ears are burning as she refilled everyone’s plates.
Halfway through breakfast, Mira quietly opened her phone and recorded a tiny clip—Areum tugging Rumi’s chair closer to the table and saying, “Appa says you always eat first, Eomma.”
Mira posted it to her private story with the caption:
“Mini Zo in training 🤭 #MiniHuntrix”
When it was time to leave, Zoey grabbed the twins’ tiny jackets and helped them zip up. She always made sure Rumi and Mira were ready before she even looked for her own things, and the twins watched, memorizing every move.
Outside the elevator, Zoey reached for the button—and before she could, Haneul jumped forward to press it.
“I got it, Appa!” she said proudly, then looked up at her with a tiny Alpha grin.
When the elevator dinged open, Areum stood aside and held her little arm out.
“Eomma, after you!” she said in a tone almost comically formal.
Rumi bit her lip not to laugh. Mira snorted again.
Zoey crouched beside Areum, eyes full of gentle amusement. “You’re a little gentle-Alpha today, huh?”
Areum puffed her chest. “Like Appa.”
And Zoey—Alpha Zoey, who faced stadiums full of screaming fans without flinching—went speechless. Her heart melted on the spot.
She kissed the top of Areum’s head and whispered, “That’s my girl.”
By the time they reached the van, the twins were chattering away with their nanny. Zoey opened the car door first, gesturing for Rumi and Mira to get in. As they did, Areum hurried to copy her again—opening the smaller side door for Haneul and saying, “After you, my twin!”
Everyone burst out laughing.
Even their driver, who’d been working with Huntrix for years, smiled in the rearview mirror. “They really are your daughters, Miss Zoey.”
Rumi reached over from the back seat and laced her fingers through Zoey’s. “You know,” she whispered, “they treat us like you do. It’s like watching two little reflections of you walking around.”
Zoey shrugged lightly, but her smile was soft—almost shy. “Guess they just… notice things.”
Mira leaned in, voice teasing but full of affection. “Notice their Appa being disgustingly perfect, you mean.”
Zoey chuckled, thumb brushing over Rumi’s knuckles. “If that’s what they learn, I’ll take it.”
The twins’ giggles filled the van as the morning sun caught in their hair, and Zoey, watching them through the rearview mirror, thought—
If the world only knew how much love it took to make mornings like this feel easy.
Later that morning, when Rumi checked her phone between schedules, she saw Mira’s clip had somehow leaked from the private story.
It already had 40k retweets.
“Zoey’s twins acting like mini alphas is the cutest thing ever 😭😭 #LikeAppaLikeDaughters #HuntrixFamily”
Rumi covered her mouth in shock. Mira just grinned, totally unrepentant.
“Well,” she said, “guess the world’s about to learn how much our Appa spoils us.”
Zoey sighed softly, half-exasperated, half-proud.
“Of course it had to go viral,” she murmured.
But her eyes, as always, followed her wives and daughters with that quiet warmth that said she wouldn’t change a single thing.
The next morning started out like any other idol workday — which meant chaos wrapped in caffeine and schedules. Huntrix had a recording session, a short interview, and a brand shoot lined up. Normally Zoey would go alone, but since it was a light schedule and the twins’ school had a half-day, the family decided to tag along.
Rumi and Mira had packed snacks, sketchpads, and two stuffed toys into the twins’ little bags, while Zoey carried the heavier load — a basket full of essentials, plus the girls’ matching jackets. Her wives insisted she didn’t have to, but Zoey only smiled with that quiet “of course I do” look that made arguing useless.
“Appa’s like a human pack mule,” Mira teased, balancing her coffee.
Zoey grinned. “Strongest pack mule in Seoul, apparently.”
Areum, holding her Eomma’s hand, looked up seriously. “Appa carries everything so Eomma and Umma don’t get tired.”
Haneul nodded solemnly beside her. “Appa says omegas shouldn’t carry heavy things.”
Rumi chuckled, squeezing Areum’s small hand. “Appa also says omegas are strong, though.”
“Strong, yes,” Zoey said, walking ahead and pushing open the building’s glass door, “but that doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone.”
And just like that, the twins marched in behind her — mimicking her stride, small heads held high, like two tiny shadows following their appa’s lead.
Inside the studio, staff greeted them warmly. Han family had long been a beloved sight among crew members; the twins had grown up toddling through rehearsal rooms, and the whole team doted on them.
“Good morning, Zoey!” one stylist called. “Oh, and the princesses are here too!”
“Princesses reporting for duty!” Mira sang, scooping Haneul up and spinning her.
Zoey’s lips curved faintly. Even when surrounded by noise, she always kept one eye on Rumi and Mira—habit, instinct, devotion. She walked slightly behind them as they entered the recording area, making sure both her mates were in front of her, never out of sight.
The twins noticed.
So when a staff member opened the door to the lounge, Areum immediately turned to Haneul and whispered, “Appa always lets Eomma and Umma go first.”
Then she darted ahead, pulling the heavy door open with both hands. “Eomma, Umma—after you!” she announced proudly.
The entire hallway went silent for a second before bursting into laughter.
“Oh my god, she’s so polite!” one intern whispered, clutching her chest.
Zoey pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh, while Rumi covered her face with her hands. Mira, of course, recorded it instantly.
“Caught in 4K,” she whispered.
A few hours later, during the lunch break, the twins played quietly in the corner of the studio while Zoey recorded a few lines. Rumi sat nearby, eyes soft as she watched. Mira leaned back in her chair, scrolling through social media—until she froze.
“Uh-oh,” she murmured.
Rumi blinked. “What’s wrong?”
Mira turned the phone around. The clip from the previous morning — Areum holding the chair for Rumi — had now hit 1.5 million views.
The comments were endless:
“Zoey’s daughters are literally mini Alphas omg 🥺💙”
“They learned respect from watching their Appa.”
“You can tell Zoey treats her mates like royalty.”
“This is what love looks like in little humans.”
Rumi’s cheeks flushed pink. “Oh no, people are going to start watching us in public now.”
Mira giggled. “Too late for that, babe.”
Just then, Zoey’s recording finished, and she walked over, removing her headphones.
“What’s too late?”
Both omegas turned their phones toward her.
Zoey blinked at the screen. “…That’s—wow.”
Areum peeked over from the couch. “What’s that, Appa?”
“Just… a video of you being very polite, apparently,” Zoey said, half amused, half bashful.
Haneul gasped dramatically. “We’re famous?!”
“You already are, silly,” Mira said, tapping her nose. “You’re the Han twins.”
Zoey chuckled, shaking her head. “Come on, let’s go get lunch before they make a documentary about you two.”
They decided to walk to the café nearby. It wasn’t far, and the staff arranged for a light escort. As they stepped out of the building, fans and a few paparazzi gathered across the street — nothing unusual for Huntrix.
Zoey automatically shifted slightly, putting herself between her mates and the crowd, hand brushing lightly at Rumi’s lower back and Mira’s shoulder. The twins noticed again.
When a gust of wind came, Areum quickly held her arms out in front of Rumi. “Eomma, careful!” she squeaked.
Haneul mirrored her for Mira, clutching her hand tight. “Umma, stay behind me!”
The fans caught it instantly — cameras clicking like fireworks.
By the time they reached the café, “#LikeAppaLikeDaughters” was trending again.
Inside, Zoey ordered quietly, letting her mates choose first, then motioning for the twins to go next. The barista couldn’t stop smiling at the scene — the calm Alpha waiting last, eyes always drifting toward her family.
Areum and Haneul sat between their Eomma and Umma, swinging their legs, whispering and giggling. When their drinks arrived, the girls immediately slid them toward their mothers first.
“Eomma first!” Areum said.
“Umma next!” Haneul followed.
Zoey could only laugh softly, heart full.
Rumi looked across the table at her, eyes shining. “You realize they’re your little mirrors, right?”
Zoey tilted her head. “Is that bad?”
“No,” Mira said with a grin. “It’s the most disgustingly sweet thing I’ve ever seen.”
Rumi reached over and brushed Zoey’s hand. “You’re teaching them by just being you. That’s the best kind of lesson.”
Zoey squeezed her fingers in return, a quiet warmth spreading through her chest.
“Then I hope they keep learning,” she said softly. “From all three of us.”
That night, back home, a compilation video surfaced online. Fans had stitched together clips of Zoey’s past interviews — the way she opened doors for her wives, carried their bags, or instinctively guided them through crowds — alongside the twins’ recent clips doing the exact same things.
The caption read:
“Kids really do learn from their appa 💙 #HuntrixFamily #LikeAppaLikeDaughters”
By midnight, it had 5 million views.
Zoey watched it silently on the couch, her daughters fast asleep between Rumi and Mira. The video played softly in the background, full of laughter and tenderness.
Mira leaned her head against Zoey’s shoulder, voice teasing but gentle.
“So, Appa Zo… how does it feel being Seoul’s poster parent for Perfect Alpha Behavior?”
Zoey chuckled quietly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“I didn’t plan on teaching anyone anything,” she murmured. “Just… wanted to love my family right.”
Rumi smiled from the other side, eyes half-lidded. “And you did. The rest just followed.”
///
By sunrise, the internet had exploded.
Huntrix’s fandom was a whirlwind of hashtags, edits, and sleepless fans who could not stop replaying the same 30-second clip of Zoey’s twins holding doors for their mothers. It wasn’t just cute—it was heart-melting, grounding, something real amidst all the glamor.
“I don’t even stan Huntrix but this family is goals 😭💙”
“Areum holding the door for Rumi like a tiny Alpha 😭😭”
“Appa Zoey raised them RIGHT.”
“This is what love looks like when it’s taught, not just said.”
By the time Zoey woke up, her name was trending in fifteen countries.
Zoey rubbed her eyes as she walked into the kitchen, still half asleep. Mira was already awake, sipping coffee with the world’s most satisfied smirk. Rumi was beside her, scrolling on her tablet with a look that could only be described as bewildered admiration.
“Good morning,” Zoey murmured, voice husky. “Why does it smell like roasted embarrassment?”
Mira grinned. “Because the internet is currently worshipping you.”
Zoey blinked. “Huh?”
Rumi turned the tablet toward her.
Front and center was a fan edit:
Zoey opening a car door to Areum holding a chair.
Zoey carrying bags to Haneul helping Mira with her purse.
Zoey guiding Rumi by the small of her back to Areum doing the same, giggling proudly.
The edit was titled:
“Kids Learn From Their Appa — The Han Family Edition 💙”
Zoey groaned softly. “Oh no.”
“Oh yes,” Mira laughed, showing her phone. “You’re everyone’s favorite dad now. People are quoting you like you’re some kind of love philosopher.”
“If my future Alpha isn’t like Han Zoey, I don’t want her.”
“This is how you raise kids. with example, not ego.”
“Find someone who treats you like Zoey treats Rumi and Mira.”
Rumi chuckled softly. “They’re not wrong.”
Zoey gave her a playful look. “You’re supposed to say I’m overrated.”
Rumi leaned forward, brushing a stray hair from Zoey’s forehead. “I could, but then I’d be lying.”
By midmorning, the Huntrix management team was already buzzing. Calls came in from news outlets, parenting blogs, and variety shows asking if the family would like to comment on the viral trend.
Their group chat was a storm of messages from the other Huntrix members too.
[Bobby]
Do we approve #LikeAppaLikeDaughters merch??? It’s everywhere.
[Zoey]:
It feels like I’m never living this down.
[Mira]:
Never.
[Rumi]:
Never ever. 💋
Later that day, Huntrix had a scheduled livestream for fans—something casual, originally meant to promote their upcoming song. But as soon as the stream went live, the chat was flooded with comments:
“THE TWINS ARE MINI ZOEYS 😭💙”
“Appa Zo, we saw the video!!”
“Teach us how to find a Zoey pls.”
Mira was the first to crack up laughing, nearly dropping her mic.
“Oh no,” she said between giggles, “the internet’s found our secret.”
Zoey rubbed her forehead, clearly flustered. “There’s no secret,” she said, smiling faintly. “I just—care about my family.”
Rumi smiled beside her, eyes soft. “That’s exactly why they love you, love.”
The livestream chat spammed emojis like confetti.
💙💙💙 “Appa Zo the standard!” 💙💙💙
Mira leaned toward the camera dramatically. “If anyone’s curious, yes, Zoey’s like that off cameratoo. She once carried Rumi and me through a flooded car park because she didn’t want our shoes getting wet.”
Zoey groaned, covering her face as the comments exploded:
“MARRY ME ZOEY 😭😭😭”
“Alpha behavior unlocked.”
“Rumi and Mira are living the dream.”
Rumi just laughed and patted Zoey’s shoulder. “You brought this on yourself, darling. You had to be perfect.”
Zoey peeked through her fingers, half embarrassed, half glowing. “If this is what ‘perfect’ looks like, it’s mostly just making sure you two don’t trip over something.”
Meanwhile, back at home, Areum and Haneul were sitting on the couch with their nanny, watching the livestream on the big screen. They squealed every time their parents appeared.
“Appa looks shy!” Areum giggled.
“Umma’s making fun of her again!” Haneul added, clapping.
When Zoey said “I just care about my family,” both twins smiled so wide it hurt.
“That’s our Appa,” Areum whispered proudly.
The nanny smiled, heart soft. “You two have a wonderful family.”
Haneul nodded with all the confidence in the world. “We know.”
By the end of the week, the viral moment had become a phenomenon. Parenting magazines wrote articles about “Alpha Zoey’s Respectful Love.” Fan artists drew adorable comics of the twins acting like their Appa. Even a well-known relationship coach reposted the clip, captioned:
“Children mirror what they see.
Han Zoey shows us what love looks like when modeled gently, not demanded.”
The post had over 500k likes.
Zoey, of course, wanted to hide under a blanket forever.
Mira, of course, thought it was the funniest thing on Earth.
Rumi just smiled every time someone mentioned it, eyes full of quiet pride.
That night, after the twins were tucked in, Zoey sat on the balcony with her mates, the city glittering beneath them.
“It’s still weird,” she admitted softly. “People watching us, analyzing us like we’re a lesson.”
Rumi leaned against her shoulder. “That’s because you’re setting one.”
Zoey glanced down. “Am I?”
“You are,” Mira said, curling up beside them. “Not with speeches or rules—just by loving right in front of them. That’s rare, Zo.”
Zoey smiled faintly, gaze turning toward the window where their daughters slept peacefully.
“If they grow up knowing that love should be gentle,” she whispered, “then I’ve done my job.”
Rumi kissed her cheek. “You already have.”
///
The camera crew arrived just after breakfast — five quiet people with polite smiles and soft voices. Huntrix had agreed to let them film for a day for the show “Families in Bloom,” a gentle documentary that followed celebrity parents at home.
It wasn’t about glamour or fame. The producers said it was about connection.
Zoey liked that word.
The crew set up slowly, filming the little details — sunlight over the breakfast table, Areum and Haneul’s tiny shoes by the door, Rumi humming as she arranged flowers in a vase. Mira sat cross-legged on the rug, brushing the twins’ hair while they giggled and fidgeted.
Zoey, as always, moved quietly through it all — checking that everyone had water, making sure the crew was comfortable, opening doors before anyone asked.
The cameraman whispered to the producer, “She really does that naturally, huh?”
The producer nodded. “That’s why we’re here.”
The first interview setup was in the living room. Rumi and Mira sat side by side on the couch, the twins playing in the background. Zoey sat between them — posture relaxed, but her hand resting lightly over Rumi’s knee, thumb tracing absent circles.
The interviewer smiled. “So first of all, thank you for letting us visit your home. I think the entire country has seen the clips of your twins being… miniature Alphas?”
Mira laughed instantly. “Mini Zoes, we call them.”
Zoey groaned softly. “You’re never letting that go, are you?”
Rumi smiled, leaning closer. “It’s accurate though.”
The interviewer chuckled. “Those videos showed the girls copying small things you do — holding doors, helping their mothers first. Were you surprised?”
Zoey hesitated, thinking. “A little. I never expected it to spread like that. But seeing them act that way… I guess I realized they’ve been watching me all along.”
Her tone was soft, not rehearsed. The kind of voice that made you believe her.
Mira nudged her playfully. “You didn’t realize? Zoey, they literally stand like you, talk like you. Areum even crosses her arms the same way when she’s serious.”
The twins, hearing their names, looked up from the playmat.
“Appa’s serious face!” Haneul giggled, mimicking Zoey’s calm stance — arms folded, chin slightly tilted.
The room burst into laughter.
Rumi covered her mouth, tears forming in her eyes from laughing too hard. “Oh stars, that’s perfect!”
Zoey shook her head, smiling so wide her dimples showed. “I’m never living that down.”
The interviewer continued gently, “A lot of people online said your daughters are learning respect through observation — that you’re showing them how love should look. What do you think about that?”
Zoey’s expression softened. She looked toward the twins for a moment, then back at the camera.
“I don’t know about being a model,” she said slowly. “But I think… kids don’t learn by being told. They learn by seeing who we are when no one’s watching. How we talk to each other. How we make space for one another. How we say sorry.”
She paused, glancing at Rumi and Mira. “If they learn to be gentle and kind, it’s because they saw it first from the two of you.”
Rumi blinked, caught off guard. “From us?”
“Of course,” Zoey said simply. “You both love with such softness. They learned from that, too.”
Mira pretended to fan herself dramatically. “Okay, but why are you being romantic in an interview? I wasn’t emotionally prepared.”
Everyone laughed again, even the crew. The sound filled the room like sunlight.
Later, the show filmed quieter moments — Zoey helping Areum with her reading homework, Haneul sitting on Mira’s lap as she braided tiny sections of her hair. Rumi was in the kitchen with the producer, talking about what “normal life” was like.
“People see Huntrix as idols,” Rumi said softly, slicing fruit. “But here, we’re just… us. Zoey likes making breakfast. Mira sings during laundry. The twins chase each other until someone falls over.”
The producer smiled. “And what’s Zoey like as a parent?”
Rumi’s eyes softened. “Protective. Patient. She never raises her voice. Even when she’s tired, she still helps me with the dishes.”
She placed the fruit on a plate and smiled at the camera. “She’s the reason our girls think care equals strength. They copy her because she makes kindness look powerful.”
In another room, Mira’s interview was completely different — full of energy and humor.
“Zoey’s basically the definition of quiet Alpha energy,” she said, leaning toward the camera. “But me? I’m chaos. I teach the girls how to question things. Rumi teaches them grace. Zoey teaches them respect.”
She looked off-camera where Zoey was crouched, tying Areum’s shoe. “They balance each other out. That’s what love is — balance.”
The cameraman smiled behind the lens. “That’s beautiful.”
Mira winked. “Don’t tell Zoey I said something sappy. She’ll never let me forget.”
The final segment was filmed outside on the balcony at sunset. Zoey sat with the twins on her lap, while Rumi and Mira leaned on either side of her. The skyline glittered around them, the city humming softly below.
The interviewer’s voice came from behind the camera. “If there’s one thing you hope your daughters carry into the future, what would it be?”
Zoey looked thoughtful. “That love isn’t loud,” she said finally. “It’s not about who leads. It’s about who listens, who stays gentle even when it’s hard. If they can do that—then they’ll be okay.”
Rumi brushed her thumb over Zoey’s hand. “They already are.”
Mira smiled at the twins, who were half-asleep now, heads resting on Zoey’s shoulders. “Because they learned from their father.”
The camera zoomed out slowly — the family bathed in gold light, quiet laughter blending with the wind.
And for once, even without words, the message was clear:
Kindness echoed. Love taught itself.
A week later, the episode aired.
No dramatic music, no narration — just soft background piano and real moments.
The final shot was Zoey’s voice-over:
“You don’t teach love with lessons. You show it every day — in the small things, the quiet ones. And one day, your kids start doing it too.”
The screen faded to black.
#LikeAppaLikeDaughters trended again that night — not from a viral clip, but from something deeper. People shared the quiet scenes — Zoey tying Areum’s shoes, Rumi smiling as Haneul offered her water, Mira teasing with laughter in her eyes.
One comment stood out among thousands:
“They didn’t teach their kids to be perfect. They taught them to be kind. That’s real parenting.”
The house was quieter than usual.
The camera crew had packed up hours ago, leaving behind soft echoes of laughter and a faint smell of coffee. The twins were asleep in the bedroom, curled against each other the way they always did — Areum’s small hand resting on Haneul’s hair, Haneul’s leg flung lazily across Areum’s blanket.
Zoey stood in the doorway watching them, arms folded loosely, the corners of her mouth lifted in that tired-but-content smile only parents seemed to have. The light from the hallway haloed her silhouette, outlining the strength in her shoulders and the calm in her stance.
Behind her, Rumi and Mira padded softly across the floor, both still in their filming clothes but barefoot now. Rumi slipped her arm through Zoey’s, resting her head against her shoulder. Mira yawned, whispering, “They knocked out fast tonight.”
“They played so much with the crew,” Rumi murmured. “They were showing their drawings, remember?”
Zoey nodded. “Areum drew me with a giant heart above my head. Said it was ‘because Appa loves Eomma and Umma very much.’”
Mira grinned sleepily. “She’s not wrong.”
They moved to the living room, where the night air drifted through the half-open balcony doors. The city lights shimmered below, distant and peaceful. A single lamp glowed on the side table, washing the room in amber tones.
Zoey sat on the couch first, and without needing words, Rumi and Mira settled on either side of her — Mira’s legs stretched over her lap, Rumi leaning into her shoulder. It was muscle memory by now, the way they fit together.
For a while, none of them spoke. The quiet was soft, comfortable, broken only by the slow hum of the city outside.
Rumi finally broke the silence. “Do you think we did okay today?”
Zoey tilted her head. “On the show?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Mira answered before Zoey could. “We were great. You were graceful, I was entertaining, and Zoey here was the perfect Alpha-parent role model.”
Zoey chuckled quietly. “Is that your official review?”
“Yup,” Mira said, eyes twinkling. “Five stars. Would film again.”
Rumi laughed softly but then looked thoughtful. “It felt strange, though. Seeing them record our everyday life like that. I didn’t realize how much they notice you.”
Zoey blinked. “The twins?”
“Yes.” Rumi’s voice was gentle. “How they watch you. How every little thing you do becomes something they want to do too.”
Mira nodded slowly. “When Haneul helped me carry the groceries today, she held the bag exactly how you do. Elbows tucked, straight back, careful like it’s precious.”
Zoey frowned slightly, shy under the praise. “I didn’t even notice.”
“That’s the point,” Rumi said. “You don’t force it. You just… are.”
Zoey exhaled, looking down at her hands. “Sometimes I worry I’m not doing enough. I’m always working, and you two handle so much with the girls.”
Rumi immediately reached over, lacing her fingers with Zoey’s. “Zoey, you do more than enough.”
Mira nodded. “They don’t need perfection. They just need presence. And you give them that every day.”
Zoey’s voice dropped. “I just want them to grow up kind. Not because we told them to, but because they saw it.”
Rumi smiled, eyes soft. “They already are.”
Mira nudged Zoey’s shoulder lightly. “They say kids learn from their appa, right? Then we’re doing amazing.”
Zoey laughed quietly, her eyes warm. “You’re giving me too much credit.”
“Not possible,” Mira said.
The three of them stayed there for a long time, the quiet turning into something deeper — a shared calm that came only after busy days.
Rumi rested her head on Zoey’s lap, while Mira leaned sideways, half-dozing. Zoey stroked their hair absently, her fingers gentle and steady.
Her mind drifted to the day’s moments — Areum’s laughter, Haneul’s tiny imitation of her “serious face,” the way Rumi’s smile had shone under the camera lights, and Mira’s quick wit making everyone laugh.
She thought of the fans’ comments she’d seen after the last episode, the ones calling her “Appa of the Year,” and how little that actually mattered compared to this — this quiet, imperfect, real peace.
She whispered softly, almost to herself, “They make me better.”
Rumi’s eyes fluttered open. “Hm?”
Zoey smiled down at her. “You. All of you. I learn from you, too.”
Mira cracked one eye open. “Is Appa getting sentimental?”
“Maybe,” Zoey said, chuckling.
Mira grinned sleepily. “Good. It suits you.”
A soft cry came from the bedroom — a dream mumble from one of the twins. Zoey rose quietly, careful not to disturb her wives. She slipped into the room, the door creaking softly.
Areum stirred, eyes half-open. “Appa?”
“I’m here, sweetheart,” Zoey whispered, tucking the blanket higher. “Go back to sleep.”
Haneul mumbled something incoherent and rolled closer to her sister. Within seconds, both were asleep again.
Zoey lingered for a moment, brushing stray hair from Areum’s forehead.
Under her breath, she murmured, “You don’t even know how proud I am.”
Back in the living room, Rumi and Mira had shifted closer together, the lamp casting a warm halo around them. Zoey sat back down between them, and they instinctively leaned in, their breathing syncing.
For a long while, there was only the rhythm of quiet hearts and the city’s faint hum.
Rumi spoke softly. “What do you think people saw in us today?”
Zoey thought about it. “Maybe they saw love that doesn’t need to be loud.”
Mira smiled, half-asleep. “That’s the best kind.”
Zoey’s hand found theirs — one on each side — fingers intertwining gently. “Whatever the world thinks, I just hope the girls remember this feeling someday. Safety. Kindness. Home.”
Rumi squeezed her hand. “They will.”
And Mira whispered, eyes closed, “Because they learned it from their father.”
Zoey smiled, leaning her head back against the couch. Outside, the city lights shimmered like a thousand small promises.
The quiet settled again, wrapping them in warmth.