I was the only one who made it home from the hospital, carrying my newborn child in my arms, and my husband was nowhere to be seen. Immediately after I opened the door, a woman was standing there, dressed in my silk robe and smiling as if she had every reason to be at that moment. In addition, the fact that she was in my home caused my blood to turn ice cold.

All my life, I had been waiting for that belly to appear.

Certain ladies make an effort to conceal theirs by wearing large sweaters, but I do not. As if it were a medal, I wore mine.

When there was very little noise in the house, I hushed, “Little one,” and said, “I’ve been saving a chair for you.”

There was a time when my spouse, Ryan, made it simple for me to dream.

He drew out that chair for me and rubbed my back until my shoulders became loose and warm until they were relaxed. Ryan went so far as to prepare ginger tea in the evening, counting the kicks with a smirk on his face.

However, after that, things became “wild” at work. This is what he stated, at the very least.

Then, his mother claimed that she “needed him,” and Ryan appeared to answer her call without any hesitation. My husband’s eyes were riveted on glowing screens, and his hands were usually occupied with his phone or computer. Our relationship became more distant with each passing day.

I made an effort to communicate with him, to discuss my ideas, my intentions, and my concerns… However, neither my name nor my remarks were there in the conversation. Ryan stopped paying attention to me.

“Call me when your water breaks,” he mumbled under his breath one evening, scarcely looking up, as if the situation were as straightforward as that.

Although I gave him a nod, I could sense that he had already left. This was not just in his physical body, but also in his thoughts and his heart.

****

This took place on a dreary morning that smelled like it had been raining. I was shivering because someone had smuggled wet and cold air under the door to the kitchen. My friend Jenna was sitting on the counter, drinking coffee while leaning against it.

Watching my face, she greeted me with a “Hey.” “Are you feeling okay?”

It was my back, I breathed out. It’s as if someone is tugging me open with a rope.

I made a call to Ryan. Immediately to the voicemail. Continued to call. None of it.

Before I could even finish my sentence, Jenna grabbed my maternity bag.

Jenna escorted me out of the house while she wrapped me in my old denim jacket, which had a scent that was reminiscent of autumn seasons.

In the hospital, the only disinfectant was lemon, and the linens were starched. There was a convergence of hours. My hands were firmly grasping the bed bars, and my breath was labored.

After then, the cry poured out. Precise. Brilliant. This is my son. A single, insignificant sound that encompassed my entire sky.

In the manner of a seed that is encased in the most gentle soil, they encircled him.

As I waited for the door to open, I waited. so that Ryan can take over. It is for flowers. As a kiss. The door, however, remained closed.

When the time came for discharge, I was there, a nurse with friendly eyes, holding a baby who was starving in my arms.

Another call came in. There is no sound.

The offer was made by Jenna, “I can drive you.”

An aroma of coffee emanated from the driver.

The city slipped by outside, between puddles and traffic lights that were muddled together.

Compared to my memory, our house appeared to be much smaller. I cautiously made my way up the stairs. A door opened with a swivel. Also,…

The woman was wearing MY silk robe and appeared to be smiling as if she had been waiting for me. The way her hair was styled was silky and lustrous, like river water that caught the illumination. The flawless and brilliant pink lipstick was applied to her lips, and she smiled in a way that didn’t quite touch her eyes.

It appeared as though my pink silk robe had always been hers because it was draped over her shoulders and fastened loosely at the waist.

“Hello! That must be Emily, right? It’s me, Lily.

The baby was swinging back and forth in my arms like a miniature boat on soft waves as I shifted him around.

Wow, he went out of his way to fetch me a delicious roll. No coffee would be complete without it. How about some cocoa? I produced several of them.”

“Why are you dressed in my robe?”

I was told by Linda that I may borrow it. After I got out of the shower, I became chilly.

This is Ryan’s mother, Linda. Indeed, it is.

“Emily?” a voice yelled out from the lobby of the building.

My mother-in-law made her appearance and entered the room as if she were the owner of the flooring.

She looked at me and the baby with sharp eyes, as if we were strangers who had just arrived at her door.

Please come home, sweetheart! She made the announcement; “Lily will be staying here for a while.” “Friend who is going through a difficult time. People are taken care of by us.

Linda gestured with her hand as if she were removing a fly from her face.

Please don’t be too theatrical, my dear.

Lily moved closer to the cradle of the instrument. “He is absolutely stunning…”

Quickly, I responded with “Don’t.”

I wrapped my arms around my son more tightly.

Suddenly, the front door opened wide. The door was opened by Ryan, who was carrying a white paper bag.

For a brief period, his eyes met mine, but then they wandered away and remained fixed on Lily for an excessively long time.

He finally spoke out and said, “Oh, my little one…” while glancing at our son. My apologies, but I had to rush to get to a work-related event. You should have been picked up by your mother. “How are you doing?”

“Try to put the bag down. We need to have a conversation.

To give the impression that she had been waiting for her cue, Linda moved in between us. The tone of her voice contained that understated grin that you can hear but not see.

“After Emily has had some time to recuperate. Hormones, as you are aware.”

Due to the fact that it was time to feed the baby, I agreed with you. Just now, I proceeded to the nursery located on the upper floor and shut the door behind me. I had the want to cry, but I was aware that I couldn’t. My son required my assistance.

****

As time went on, the days began to meld into one another, much like rings within an ancient tree.

The aroma of Lily was present even before I saw her. The scent of her perfume lingered in the corridor like a whisper that no one seemed to want to confess they had heard. The sound of her laughter trickled down the stairs in a gentle manner.

“Ryan, are you able to approach this?” From the kitchen, she would get a call.

The notes that she put on the refrigerator were written in curving, neat letters and said, “Don’t forget the creamer:”

It was clear to me that Ryan was looking at Lily. A wife is aware of even the most minute changes in the weather, even if she pretends not to notice them. In addition to that, they started going shopping together.

You have the baby, and you will remain. Lily is really kind, and she will assist,” my mother-in-law stated.

I could tell that she had exerted sufficient effort in order to encourage my husband to pursue Lily. It was clear that she had never liked me. To tell you the truth, it was especially difficult for me to watch my husband admiring Lily’s trim waist when I was in the process of recuperating.

I would cry onto Jenny’s shoulder every day, and she would keep listening to me until late in the night.

“Are you able to hear me? It is imperative that you take action in this matter and put both of them in their proper places.

A giggling sound came from Jenna. “Give Caleb a call. On top of being a wonderful buddy, he is also a complete and utter charmer.

“But… can you be second best?”

“Alright…”

During the evening, I decided to pick up the phone and dial a number that I had been keeping a secret from myself.

“Caleb?” he asked.

Straight away, he recognized my voice.

“Hello! Are you feeling okay?

Today, he assured me. “Tonight.”

I left five forks on the table when we were having dinner. Someone rang the doorbell.

Just as I opened the door, I exclaimed, “Help is on its way.”

Caleb carried a bundle of tools with him as he entered the building.

The tension in Ryan’s shoulders increased. “Caleb?” he asked.

“Oh, yes,” she said. For the next few weeks, he will be staying here. so that I can get better. in order to make things better.”

Immediately, Caleb made his way to the door of the closet that had not been shut for several months.

While he was studying the hinge, he pulled it once.

Lily blinked her eyes. Linda’s lips became more squeezed. The color returned to Ryan’s face.

I told Caleb, “Make yourself at home,” and he obeyed.

It was he. Additionally, for the first time in what felt like weeks, the house breathed differently, as if it was finally paying attention to what I had to say as well. As he made his way through the rooms, Caleb walked like a calm river, his strides slow and steady, his hands confident.

He did not squander any words. Simply by looking at things, he was able to figure out what was wrong and correct it.

It was lunchtime when the hissing toilet in the upper floor became silent.

At two o’clock, the back door was securely shut, and there was no longer any draft that was encircling my ankles.

At four o’clock, a roast was already in the oven, and the aroma of thyme and the hot meat filled the room.

Lily was sitting close by, resting against the doorway as she hovered.

Linda took a sniff. We do not require a male to perform tasks that are traditionally performed by women.

Simply put, Caleb smiled. It would appear that we have some job to do.

Later that day, Ryan arrived at his house. He halted at the entrance, taking in the aroma of the roast and the delicate tang of lemon from the wood that had been polished with a polishing agent.

“Did you…” he started out on.

“Caleb did,” I responded, maintaining a steady tone on my voice.

Subsequently, while he was in the kitchen, Ryan lowered his voice. “What does he mean to you?”

“A companion. When you were younger.”

I am not pleased with it.

“You abandoned me at the medical facility. Your son was taken home by me by myself.

I’m sorry, but my mother told me that Lily relied on us. To her, I simply cannot say no.

You have become a father now. Is a husband. You are the one who gets to answer yes to us. Even if it means that she will not accept it.”

It was a forceful swallow. “It’s a complicated mess.”

“It’s not complicated. We live in this house.”

His eyes became very narrow. You should advise him to go.

“Yes, I will. While you are telling Lily to leave.”

There was a movement of a shadow in the doorway. The words of Linda pierced through like a knife.

I switched my attention to Ryan.

There was a thick nightfall. A scroll was made on Lily’s phone. The words that Linda breathed into hers were harsh. The counters were cleaned by Caleb. The soothing sound of my son’s breath helped me to remain calm.

“Emily,” Ryan began his answer. “I am frightened.”

He gave his mother a quick glance. “Because she disappointed me. Because he is the naughty son.”

Be a decent father instead,” she said. Take care of your husband. Others are able to make peace with it.

It was then that he entered the living room. “Mom? ” Lily and you need to get ready to leave. The evening.”

She laughed, Linda.

“No, I’m not. You have my love. We call this place our home. It was my responsibility to be present for my family. I’m going to repair that right now.”

Lily sat up straight. “Well, but where…”

It was Ryan who yelled out, “There’s a hotel on Maple.” “Mom is responsible for paying for the week.”

While she looked at me, Linda clenched her purse tightly.

“Might be. On the other hand, not tonight.”

The entrance was shut. The home let out a sigh.

Ryan apologized to me and said, “I’m sorry.” I ought to have come to seek you out. Due to him.”

He made sure to stroke our son’s hair as if it were going to sail away. Embarrassed and fresh once again, he kissed my forehead.

Caleb suddenly cleared his throat and spoke again. “I’m almost finished with my work here.”

“Remain here for a few more days,” Ryan advised. I want to see the solutions.

****

When I woke up, I returned my robe to the spot where it had been placed.

While he was changing a diaper that was fighting him, Ryan laughed like the man I want to marry. The wrench was given to him by Caleb.

I heard my son yawn. This day began with a bang.

I murmured, “Little one,” and then I said, “Dad’s home.”