Chapter72: Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Bitter Reality XENOIS I woke that morning with a sense of purpose I hadn't felt in months. Today was the PTA meeting, and I was determined to show up for my family in a way that apparently the old version of me never had. I'd already informed Dmitri and Sloane that I wouldn't be coming into the office, and I'd done something I almost never did—I turned off my phone completely. The world could burn for one day. Today was about my sons. I went to wake the triplets myself, something that still felt novel and wonderful. Troy was already half-awake when I entered their room, while Lake was sprawled across his bed like a starfish, and Soren had somehow ended up sleeping upside down with his feet on his pillow. "Rise and shine, gentlemen," I said, opening the curtains to let morning light flood the room. "Big day today." Troy sat up immediately, his excitement obvious. "The PTA meeting! And the sports games! Dad, you're really coming, right?" "I promised, didn't I?" I replied, fee