sa

aped. Julian. I dragged myself to the edge of the bed, my muscles screami

e, a searing pain shot through my abdomen. My c-section incision felt like it was tearing open. I cried out, doubling over, my face contorti

oom, carrying a large grocery bag. He saw my crumpled form on the bed. His expression

my side, his hand hovering, unsure where to touch. He helped me

rast to the cold indifference I had grown accustomed to from Kevin. A strange sense of safety settled over me, a feeling I hadn't realized

uptly, his voice a little rougher now. He bustle

roached the bassinet, gently lifted Leo, and began to coo softly, rocking him. Leo, still whimpering, slowly latched onto the bottle Julian offered. Julian held him with such tenderness, such natural ease. He mov

n't understand her pain." He had said those words after Cassidy' s self-harm incident, when I had been furious. He painted Cassidy as a fragile victim, me as the cold, unfeeling one. He told me I couldn't resent

understood what I truly needed: genuine care, unwavering support, and a partner who

es narrowed, taking in the scene: Julian, holding Leo, feeding him,