Chapter 2
I cried from the hospital bed the moment I heard those words.That’s why, when we brought our daughter home the very next afternoon and Max suddenly refused to enter the nursery, I assumed reality had finally caught up with him. I was completely drained—my body still aching from childbirth, my shirt damp with leaking milk, and running on barely two hours of sleep.
Daniel carried the baby toward the nursery while I followed behind, balancing the diaper bag over one shoulder and dragging my overnight bag across the carpet. Max walked quietly behind us until we reached the nursery doorway.
Then he froze.
He didn’t hesitate.
He simply stopped moving.
One hand rested against the doorframe as he stared into the crib after Daniel gently placed the baby inside. I watched every bit of color disappear from his face. His lips parted slightly, and his eyes widened—not with excitement, but with fear.
He slowly stepped backward.
Then another step.
“Max?” I asked. “Honey, what is it?”
He turned toward me, barely above a whisper.
“That’s not my sister.”
Daniel let out a tired laugh.
“Buddy, come on.”
“I want to go to my room.”
I caught Daniel’s eye.
Every parent knows that silent look.
Here we go.
May you like
Daniel rolled his eyes ever so slightly before mouthing one word.
Jealous.
