FAMILY SUPPORT

MONA washed her face and put on some makeup to try and hide her swollen eyes.

She didn't want her children to know that she cried.

[At times like this, when their father is sick, I have to show the twins that I'm capable of taking care of our family.]

"Nikolai," Mona said after putting makeup on her face. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful," Nikolai said innocently, his face beaming. "You're beautiful with or without makeup, Mona."

Haaah.

That wasn't what she was asking.

Mona avoided Nikolai's (heated) gaze in a poor attempt to hide her blushing face.

Whether she wanted to admit it or not, there was no denying that Nikolai's words would always have an effect on her.

[This is why we got pregnant early… no, let's stop thinking about it.]

"I'm asking if it's too obvious that I cried," Mona said, her cheeks still flushed. "I don't want our children to worry about me."