Late at night, Owen walked into Mehrin's room.
"Mom," he said hesitantly, "please remove single mom from your Instagram bio."
Mehrin closed the book Jonathan had given her and looked at him calmly.
"Why? Am I not a single mom? I was divorced back in 2032. I am a mother to one child—aren't these facts?"
"They are," Owen replied, "but honestly, the way people feel proud of labels like feminist, feminism, or single mom for no reason—it feels… cringe."
Mehrin stood up from the bed, placed her hand gently on Owen's head, and said softly,
"When you become the father of a daughter someday, you'll understand everything."
With that, she walked out of the room.
The Next Morning
Owen and Mehrin were having breakfast together.
"Eat properly," Mehrin said. "We need to prepare today."
"Prepare for what?" Owen asked.
"Your friend Sarah and her family are coming for dinner tonight."
"Oh, great," Owen smiled. "Give me the list—I'll buy everything from the market."
"Good," Mehrin replied.
That evening, Owen and Mehrin finished cooking and arranged the table neatly. Just then, the doorbell rang. Owen opened the door.
Sarah stood there holding a bouquet of flowers and gifts, along with her mother.
"Welcome, Sarah. Welcome, Ariana," Mehrin said warmly. "Please come in."
"Didn't your dad come?" Owen asked.
"No," Sarah replied. "He's busy with work."
"That's alright," Mehrin smiled. "He must come next time."
They all sat down and began dinner together.
"So," Ariana asked casually, "when are you getting married again?"
Mehrin smiled calmly.
"No. I'm very happy with my career and with Owen."
"Will you come to school from the first day?" Owen asked Sarah.
"Yes, from the first day," Sarah replied.
"The school is quite strict," Owen said, laughing lightly.
Sarah laughed with him.
"You know," Ariana added, smiling at Mehrin, "I missed you so much. I still remember when you fainted during the Fiji trip, and how much Jonathan did for you."
Both Ariana and Mehrin laughed.
"He's my best friend, by the way," Mehrin said.
"Owen," Ariana continued, "do you know your mom has become my inspiration?"
"Yes, mine too," Sarah added.
Owen looked surprised. "How?"
"Even after your mom's ex-husband Oliver and his wife anne combined," Ariana said, "they couldn't earn as much as your mother. She's smart, independent, and successful."
"You must feel very proud," Sarah said to Owen.
"Yeah… maybe," Owen replied quietly.
Just then, Ariana's phone rang.
"Oh, it's Dad," Sarah said.
Ariana answered the call.
"Hello? Yes, Johnny?"
"I'm not feeling well," Johnny said. "I've been vomiting. Please come home quickly."
Ariana stood up, worried.
"What happened, Mom?" Sarah asked.
"We have to go home immediately," Ariana said after ending the call. "Your dad isn't well."
"Oh no," Mehrin said. "We should come with you. Come on, Owen."
"I'll talk the driver to get the car ready," Owen said.
"No, it's okay," Ariana replied. "It doesn't seem serious. I'll call you if needed."
"Alright," Mehrin said gently. "Take care of yourself."
"Bye," Ariana said.
Ariana and Sarah left, and the house slowly returned to silence.