Our dad

The first ray of sunlight filtered through the beige linen curtains, gently illuminating the room with a golden glow. In a spacious but cold bed, Sofia Moreau slowly opened her eyes, accustomed to starting her days well before the alarm clock rang. A quick glance at the wall clock showed that it was already 6:30 AM. She stretched slightly before getting up, aware that a busy new day awaited her.

As she walked down the hallway, she stopped in front of a slightly open door. Inside, two small figures were curled up under the same blanket, peacefully asleep. A tender smile stretched across Sofia's lips as she approached quietly.

- Noah, Liam, it's time to wake up, she whispered while stroking their curly hair.

The seven-year-old twins stirred slightly, but neither seemed ready to leave the warmth of the bed.

- Five more minutes, Mom..., moaned Noah as he burrowed further under the blanket.

- You say that every day, added Liam sleepily, without opening his eyes.

Sofia shook her head in amusement. With their messy brown hair and identical features, they were almost impossible to differentiate at first glance, except for her. Noah was the eternal dreamer, always inventing stories or wacky plans, while Liam had a more methodical, curious, and observant mind.

- No way, my loves, today is a big day. You have a math test, remember?

Immediately, Noah's eyes flew open, excitement replacing fatigue.

- Oh yes! I'm going to break my record again!

- I hope they finally have some exercises that are a bit harder; otherwise, it will be too easy, Liam grumbled as he stretched.

Sofia burst out laughing before planting a kiss on their foreheads.

- Go take a shower, little geniuses, and come have your breakfast.

In the modern yet cozy apartment that she had carefully arranged, Sofia busied herself in the kitchen. She set out two bowls of cereal, whole grain toast, and two glasses of orange juice on the polished wooden table. A cup of black coffee was already waiting for her on the counter.

When the boys entered the kitchen, dressed in their school uniforms – white shirts, navy blue trousers, and matching sweaters – they sat down eagerly.

- Mom, why don't you eat with us? Liam asked, watching her sip her coffee.

- Because Mom is a superheroine who only needs coffee to survive, she replied jokingly.

- Or Mom is watching her figure! Noah added with a teasing smile.

- Oh you, be careful what you say, or I'll tickle you! she teased, shooting him a playful glance.

After breakfast, the apartment turned into a real battlefield. Noah was looking for his notepad, Liam was torn between two pairs of sneakers, and Sofia was running around to make sure they had everything.

- We're going to be late if you keep this up! she exclaimed, grabbing their bags.

Outside, the city was gradually waking up. Car horns echoed in the distance, shutters were being opened, and the smell of hot coffee lingered in the air. Holding one hand on each side, Sofia moved quickly towards the school.

In front of the entrance, she knelt down to kiss her sons.

- Work well, my hearts. I love you.

- We love you too, Mom! they replied in unison before running towards the playground.

Sofia watched them disappear with a pang in her heart, proud but also slightly nostalgic. They were growing up so fast...

After dropping Noah and Liam off at school, Sofia walked quickly back up the street, enjoying the morning breeze gently brushing her face. The first rays of sunshine illuminated the facades of the buildings, and the smell of coffee wafted through the air, mingling with that of warm bread from a nearby bakery.

She took a deep breath, savoring these moments of calm before the day's hustle and bustle. A teacher at a small private school, Sofia loved her job, even though it wasn't always easy. Her daily life was filled with the laughter of children, papers to grade, and challenges related to education.

Arriving in front of the establishment, a modest but well-maintained building, she immediately spotted a familiar figure leaning against the door frame.

- Are you on lookout again, Julien? she sighed, rolling her eyes.

Her colleague and friend, Julien Marchand, a man in his thirties with a mischievous smile and tousled chestnut hair, crossed his arms, feigning offense.

- I'll keep doing it as long as I can, he replied with a wink.

Sofia shook her head, amused but slightly annoyed.

- I don't like the habit of you waiting for me at the door every morning, she shot back, giving him a sidelong glance.

- And yet, you would be disappointed if I didn't, he countered, following her down the hallway.

Sofia didn't even bother to reply. She knew he was right. Julien had become a fixture in her daily life, a constant presence that made her smile despite herself.

- So, how are your little geniuses doing today? he asked as he opened the teachers' lounge door.

Sofia set her bag on a chair and sighed softly as she sat down.

- Always as talkative, always competing. Everyone wants to be taller and stronger than the other, as if it's a never-ending race, she replied with an affectionate smile.

Julien burst out laughing.

- That's what kids are like. And I bet Noah wants to break a record again today.

- Exactly, he's determined to prove he's the fastest in math, while Liam is hoping for a challenge worthy of him.

Sofia spoke affectionately about her sons, proud of their intelligence and unique personalities. But behind her smile, a hint of nostalgia crossed her gaze. Sometimes, she wondered if she was doing enough for them. That was why she had enrolled them in a reputable school, convinced they deserved the best.

- They will thrive there, you made the right decision, Julien suddenly said, as if reading her thoughts.

Sofia looked up at him, slightly surprised.

- I hope so...

Julien gave her a sincere smile before handing her a coffee he had prepared for her.

- Come on, drink this before the horde of students invades your classroom.

Sofia laughed softly and grabbed the cup, appreciating the attention.

Sofia entered her classroom with her usual sweet smile, greeting the children already settled at their desks. The morning sun cast a golden light on the walls decorated with colorful drawings, making the atmosphere warm and welcoming.

- Hello, my little geniuses! she exclaimed in a cheerful voice as she placed her bag on her desk.

- Hello, Miss Sofia! they all responded in chorus, some enthusiastically, others still half-asleep.

As every morning, she took a piece of chalk and turned to the blackboard to write the date. But as soon as her hand traced the first numbers, her heart skipped a beat.

February 17.

She felt a wave of cold wash over her body. Her fingers tightened around the chalk as her gaze remained fixed on the date.

The day her mother had died.

A shiver ran down her spine, and against her will, a dull pain filled her chest. It had been years since she had avoided thinking about that day, refusing to give it any place in her mind. But today, the memory was stronger.

A flood of images flashed before her eyes: the grave face of the doctor, the machines stopping one by one, her mother's cold hand in hers.

And especially, that look.

The look filled with anger and disappointment that her mother had given her before taking her last breath.

Sofia swallowed hard. She knew why her mother had left with that bitterness.

Because she had done something despicable to save her. Something she told no one about, something she didn't even want to remember.

A trembling hand went to her chest, as if to calm the frantic beating of her heart. She felt her legs weaken and discreetly leaned against her desk.

- Miss?

The thin voice of a small boy pulled her from her torment. Looking up, she met the curious and worried gazes of her students.

- Are you okay? asked a little girl with tight braids.

Sofia forced herself to smile, but she knew it was a failure.

- Yes... yes, everything is fine, she murmured in a slightly trembling voice.

But she was fooling no one.

The emotion choking her was too strong, too brutal. She needed to get out, breathe, regain her composure before the memories overwhelmed her completely.

- I'm just going to... get some air, okay? Stay nice and calm.

She turned away and hurried out of the room, her breath short. In the hallway, she leaned against the cold wall, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

She then heard rapid footsteps approaching.

- Sofia?

She opened her eyes to see a woman with blonde hair styled in a neat bun stop right in front of her, worry painted on her face.

It was Camille, her friend and colleague, a gentle and insightful woman who knew her better than anyone else.

- What's happening? You look pale, murmured Camille, placing a hand on her arm.

Sofia looked away, searching for her words.

- It's... just a memory that came back, she whispered, her throat tight.

Camille frowned but didn't press further.

- Come, let's go to the staff room. You need a moment.

Sofia nodded slowly, knowing that for the first time in years, she might not be able to escape the past that haunted her.

Camille gently led Sofia to the staff room, taking her away from the bustling hallway where the children's voices echoed. Upon entering the peaceful room, Sofia let out a trembling sigh and slumped into a chair.

Camille glanced at her for a moment, then went to prepare a coffee without saying anything. She knew Sofia would speak when she was ready.

The silence between them was not heavy, but filled with the mutual understanding that true friendships offer. Sofia fixed her gaze on her clasped hands, wrestling with herself. Should she talk about it?

The sound of the cup being placed in front of her pulled her from her thoughts.

- Drink, Camille gently ordered. It won't solve everything, but it will help a bit.

Sofia gave a faint smile and took a sip, feeling the warmth of the liquid offering her slight comfort.

- It's the date, she finally murmured.

Camille frowned slightly.

- The date?

- February 17. The day my mother died.

A silence settled. Camille knew that Sofia had lost her mother many years ago, but she had never discussed the circumstances.

- I'm sorry, she replied sincerely.

Sofia shook her head.

- It's not just that. It's the last thing she told me... the last way she looked at me.

She tightened her grip on the cup between her fingers, as if to hold on to something tangible.

The silence was heavy in the staff room. Sofia lowered her head, her fingers gripping her coffee cup. She felt Camille's gaze on her, but she couldn't bring herself to meet her eyes.

- Sofia... please release yourself. I wouldn't want the children to see you like this.

Sofia closed her eyes, as if that could soothe the pain of the memory. Her heart was pounding violently in her chest, her throat constricted.

- You already know, don't you?

Camille let out a sigh and settled across from her.

- I guessed, she admitted softly. Not right away, but over time...

Sofia felt a shiver run down her spine. For years, she had tried to erase that night from her memory, to hide it under layers of work, responsibilities, and above all under the unconditional love she had for her children.

But Camille, with her piercing gaze and compassionate heart, had seen beyond the mask.

- You sold your body to pay for your mother's treatment, didn't you?

These words echoed in the room like thunder.

Sofia felt her eyes well up, but she didn't cry. Not this time.

- Yes, she whispered.

A silence settled between them. A silence heavy with pain, regrets, and memories she wished she could erase.

She took a deep breath, feeling her hands tremble.

- That night... I was desperate. My mother was in the hospital, and the doctors refused to continue her treatment until I paid part of the fees. I had no other solution.

She bit her lip, struggling against the tears threatening to fall.

- So I did what I had to.

Camille listened with silent attention, her expression filled with pain for her.

- I went to a place where rich men get everything they want... and I accepted an offer.

Sofia ran a trembling hand across her face.

- I spent the night with a stranger. I don't even remember her face, just his perfume ... the feeling of giving up everything in me to survive.

Camille slowly put her hand on hers.

-And it was that evening that you got pregnant ...

Sofia wicked her head slowly.

- Yes. I had Liam and his brother that day.

A bitter laugh escaped him.

- I left this hotel with the money to pay the hospital ... and a few weeks later, I discovered that I was pregnant.

She inspired deeply, trying to contain the emotion that threatened to crush him.

- I gave everything to save my mother. But in the end, that was not enough. She died a few weeks later ... and she left angry with me.

Camille hugged her hand a little loudly, as if to convey a little strength.

-Why do you think she was angry? she asked gently.

Sofia let out a sad laugh.

- Because she knew.

She looked up at Camille, and a lonely tear slipped on her cheek.

- She knew what I had done. She guessed it ... and she never accepted it.

A heavy silence settled again. Camille looked at her for a long time, then she got up and got around the table to take Sofia in her arms.

Sofia remained stiff for a moment, then she collapsed against her friend, leaving the sobs she had held for too long.

- You did what you had to do, whispered Camille, hugging her. No one has the right to judge you.

Sofia Hoqueta gently, hiding her face against her shoulder.

-But I judge myself, Camille ...

- So stop. Because thanks to that night, you had your sons. And you are an incredible mother.

Sofia trembled in her friend's arms, feeling comforting warmth wrap her.

During all these years, she had brought this burden alone. But today she was no longer alone.

And maybe ... just maybe ... that she could finally learn to forgive herself.