Rio shook his head, brushing a kiss to her forehead. “No. I think you’re the strongest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. You gave all of yourself to a man who never deserved you, and you still found a way to love your kids and hold your world together. You don’t see what I see, but I do. And I’m not going anywhere.”
She nodded slowly, tears slipping free again. This time, not from fear but from release. They curled up on the couch, her head tucked into his chest, his arm around her shoulders. For the first time in days, Kylee allowed herself to rest, to let someone elsecarry the weight with her. They didn’t talk much more. They didn’t need to.
Later that night, Rio made her and Macy something to eat, nothing fancy, just a grilled cheese and soup but it was warm, and so was his presence.
As they sat side by side at the kitchen counter, she said softly, “Thank you. For coming. For staying.”
He reached over, lacing his fingers through hers. “You’re worth showing up for, Idaho.”
And for the first time in a long time, she believed it. Kylee sat on the floor in the girls’ room, gently rocking Kayla in her arms. Her tiny fingers curled around a lock of Kylee’s hair. Across the room, Macy was sitting on the rug, putting stickers on a coloring book page.
“Mommy?” Macy asked softly, not looking up. Kylee looked over, tired but alert. “Yes, baby?”
Macy stuck a heart sticker on the corner of her picture, then glanced up. “Where’s Jakey?”
Kylee’s heart squeezed. She kissed the top of Kayla’s head and tried to keep her voice even. “He went with Daddy for a little while.”
“Why?” Macy frowned. “Why didn’t we go too?”
Kylee set Kayla down gently in her little floor seat and crawled over to Macy, sitting beside her. “Because Mommy needed her girls to stay with her. You’re my brave little helper, remember?”
Macy pouted. “I want Jakey.”
“I know,” Kylee whispered, pulling her into her lap. “Me too.”
After a quiet moment, Macy looked up again. “Mommy… who’s that guy that’s here?” Macy nodded. “He’s nice. Is he your friend?”
Kylee smiled softly. “Yeah. He’s my friend.”
“Is Daddy mad at you?”
The words hit Kylee like a sharp breath. She held Macy a little tighter. “Sometimes grown-ups get upset, baby. But that doesn’t mean they stop loving you. Mommy and Daddy both love you so much. And Jakey too.”
Macy laid her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Is Jakey gonna come back soon?”
Kylee kissed her forehead. “Yes, sweetheart. I’m going to make sure of it.”
Kayla let out a happy squeal, kicking her chubby legs and smacking her hands together. Macy giggled through her worry, and Kylee smiled through the lump in her throat.
“I love you both more than anything in the world,” she whispered. “You’re my everything.”
Macy leaned into her, wrapping her little arms around her. “I love you too, Mommy.”
Just as Kylee brushed Macy’s hair behind her ear, she heard the soft creak of the hallway floorboards. A second later, Rio stepped quietly into the doorway, his tall frame filling the space but hisexpression gentle. His eyes scanned the room, pausing on Macy curled in Kylee’s lap and Kayla kicking her feet nearby. Then they landed on Kylee, her tear-stained face, her red eyes, her barely-there smile and his whole demeanor softened even more.
“You okay?” he asked quietly, his voice rough with concern. Kylee gave a small nod, then looked down at Macy. “This is my friend Rio. He came to check on us.”
Macy looked up at him curiously, then gave a shy wave.
Rio gave a small wave back to Macy, crouching slightly to her level. “Hey, kiddo. I like your stickers.”
Macy smiled and held up her page proudly. “That one’s a flower. I gave Mommy the heart.”
Rio smiled, but his eyes flicked back to Kylee, studying her face like he could still see the pain hiding behind her smile.
“I’ll be right back,” Kylee whispered to Macy, kissing her cheek.
She stood and stepped into the hall with Rio, closing the door gently behind her. The second it clicked shut, she sagged against the wall and let out a breath she’d been holding in for what felt like hours.
