It was a turning point.
Something inside her had broken yes but something else had awakened.
She didn’t know what would come next. But she knew this: she’d never beg for love again.
The sound of the front door opening snapped Kylee upright.
She quickly wiped her face with the sleeve of her sweater, sniffed, and smoothed her hair as if that could erase the emotional wreckage she’d just left on the kitchen floor. Her heart was still racing, her throat raw from crying but she stood. Because she had to.
“Mama!” Macy’s voice was high and bright as she bounded into the room with a sticky juice cup in hand. “Lillian let us feed ducks!”
Kylee turned, instantly pasting on a smile. “Yeah? That sounds like so much fun!”
Lillian followed close behind with Kayla in her arms, the baby softly babbling, cheeks flushed from the chill outside. Jake Jr. was last, hoodie unzipped and football in hand, tossing it up and catching it without looking.
“Hey, Mom,” he said, casual and cool.
“Hey, baby,” she said, reaching to kiss the top of his head. Her voice stayed calm, steady.
Lillian gave Kylee a soft look, sensing something, but didn’t ask.
“She was a total angel,” she said, handing Kayla over. “They all were.”
“Thank you,” Kylee replied, her tone practiced and warm. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“No problem at all.” Lillian smiled and gave Macy a little wave. “You guys behave for Mama, okay?”
The door clicked shut again, and just like that she was alone with them. Her babies.
Jake Jr. plopped down on the couch and switched on his game controller. Macy dug through her bin of toys, already begging for snacks. Kayla rested her head on Kylee’s shoulder, tiny fingers tangled in the strands of her hair.
The warmth of them made it harder to breathe.Not because they were the problem. But because she was the only thing standing between them and the truth.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, blinked back the burn in her eyes, and moved through the motions. Wiping faces. Heating leftovers. Fixing crayons. Straightening couch cushions. Cleaning fingerprints from the fridge.
She laughed when they laughed.She answered questions like normal.
When Jake Jr. asked if Daddy was going to be late again, she smiled and said, “Probably just busy at work.” Then she tucked them in, kissed their foreheads, and turned off the lights. It wasn’t until the house was quiet again that she let her smile drop.
Kylee was seated on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, a throw blanket draped over her lap. The television was on but muted some romance show she wasn’t watching. Her face was bare now, makeup washed away, eyes still a red despite her best efforts.
Jake stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He hesitated in the entryway like he didn’t know if he still belonged there.
His gaze found her instantly, but she didn’t look up.
"Hey," he said, voice soft. Careful.
"Sup," she replied, just as soft. Just as distant.
He took off his coat and hung it on the hook by the door. Loosened his collar. Set his keys on the counter. Every move was measured. Like walking through a minefield he had personally built.
Kylee didn’t flinch. Didn’t ask why he was late or why he looked like a man who had lost something vital on the drive home. She just stared ahead at the silent screen.
Jake walked further into the room, the hardwood creaking slightly under his weight.
“The kids got to bed okay?” he asked, clearing his throat.
She nodded. “Jake Jr. asked if you were going to be late again.”
