"Bound by Fate, Held by Love"

Chapter 29: The Return of the Chaotic Duo

The Armstrong-Sarocha household was unusually quiet that morning. Becky was in the kitchen, making breakfast, while Freen was still in bed, scrolling through her phone. It had been a peaceful couple of days—well, as peaceful as it could be with Becky’s overprotective tendencies and Freen’s occasional mischief.

But that peace was about to be shattered.

As Becky flipped the last pancake onto the plate, the front door suddenly burst open with a dramatic BANG.

“We’re home!”

Becky barely had time to react before two large figures stormed into the kitchen, practically tackling her into a hug.

“Did you miss us, little sis?” Yang teased, ruffling Becky’s hair.

Richie grinned. “I bet she cried every night without us.”

Becky scowled, pushing them away. “First of all, don’t bang the door like that. Second, of course I didn’t cry. I was thriving without you two annoying me. Third, This is not you home”

Yang gasped. “Wow. The betrayal.”

Richie put a hand on his heart. “I think I might cry.”

Freen chose that exact moment to walk into the kitchen, stretching lazily. “You guys are loud,” she muttered before stopping in her tracks.

She blinked.

And then—

“Oh, thank God you’re back,” she breathed dramatically, striding toward Yang and Richie like a lost soldier finally reunited with their unit. “I can finally breathe.”

Becky turned to her so fast she almost got whiplash. “Excuse me?”

Freen ignored her, high-fiving Yang and Richie. “I swear, it’s been exhausting. I love your sister, I really do, but she does not leave me alone.”

Yang laughed, slinging an arm around Freen. “I bet she made you eat healthy every single day.”

Freen nodded solemnly. “I haven’t seen a single packet of instant noodles in weeks.”

Richie winced. “That’s rough, buddy.”

Becky, still standing there, arms crossed, fuming, narrowed her eyes at her wife. “You—”

Freen, sensing danger, immediately hid behind Yang. “See?! This is what I mean! I’ve been oppressed!”

Becky’s jaw dropped. “Oppressed?! I have been taking care of you, you ungrateful little—”

Yang and Richie burst into laughter, while Freen peeked from behind them, grinning. “Babe, I love you, but I needed backup. Now I can finally live a little.”

Becky glared at her. “Oh? You can finally live? You poor, poor thing.”

Freen nodded, looking at Yang and Richie with exaggerated sadness. “She wouldn’t even let me buy a PS6 without an argument.”

Richie gasped. “Becky, how could you?”

Yang sighed. “Tragic. Absolutely tragic.”

Becky rolled her eyes. “You two shut up. And you—” she pointed at Freen, who was still cowering behind Yang, “—you are sleeping on the couch tonight.”

Freen’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? Babe, come on, I was just joking—”

“Couch.” Becky smirked. “Enjoy your freedom.”

Yang and Richie laughed harder as Freen groaned. “I hate you both.”

Yang grinned. “Welcome back to the chaos.”

With Becky still fuming in the kitchen, Freen, Yang, and Richie retreated to the living room, collapsing onto the couch like they owned the place—which, to be fair, they practically did.

Freen sprawled across the couch, finally feeling like she wasn’t under 24/7 surveillance. “God, I missed you guys.”

Yang smirked, throwing an arm around her shoulders. “Missed us? Or just miss being able to eat junk food and play video games without supervision?”

Freen didn’t even hesitate. “Both.”

Richie leaned forward, eyes glinting with mischief. “Be honest, how bad was it?”

Freen sighed dramatically. “Let’s just say if Becky could wrap me in bubble wrap and keep me in bed all day, she would.”

Yang whistled. “Damn. And here we thought we were protective.”

“You have no idea.” Freen groaned, rubbing her face. “She has a schedule for everything. What I eat, when I rest, even when I—”

She paused, suddenly remembering something.

Yang and Richie caught the hesitation immediately.

“When you what?” Yang asked, narrowing his eyes.

Freen cleared her throat, waving a hand. “Nothing, nothing—”

“Ohhh no,” Richie leaned in, grinning. “Spill.”

Yang smirked. “Wait… this wouldn’t have anything to do with, say, certain nighttime activities, would it?”

Freen choked. “I—”

Richie gasped dramatically. “No way. Are you telling me Becky actually has rules for when you can—”

Freen clamped a hand over his mouth. “SHUT UP.”

Yang cackled, prying Freen’s hand away from Richie’s face. “Bro, you’re married. You should be getting some privileges.”

“I was! Until I got banned from the bedroom last night because someone,” Freen threw a pointed look toward the kitchen, “decided I was too free.”

Richie wiped fake tears. “I never thought I’d see the day our mighty Freen got grounded from her own wife.”

Yang shook his head. “Tragic. Truly tragic.”

Freen groaned. “You two are supposed to be on my side.”

“We are,” Richie said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We’re just also on the side of entertainment.”

Freen smacked his hand away.

Just then, Becky appeared in the doorway, arms crossed. “Are you three talking about me?”

Freen immediately sat up straight. “Nope.”

Yang and Richie nodded in unison. “Nope.”

Becky narrowed her eyes but decided to let it slide. “Lunch is ready. If you three idiots want to eat, get your asses to the dining table.”

As she turned and walked back into the kitchen, Richie leaned toward Freen and whispered, “You are so whipped.”

Freen sighed, getting up. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

Yang smirked. “Oh, don’t worry. We will.”

Laughing, the three best friends followed Becky into the kitchen, ready to continue their chaotic reunion.