MELISSA'S POV

After Xavier left, I went back to my normal routine like nothing had happened. I folded the baby clothes he brought, tucked the bottles away, and cleaned up the quiet mess of his visit. Then I made myself a cup of tea, swept the living room, and tried to breathe. My swollen belly pressed against me as a reminder that everything was changing—but I held on to routine, because it was the only thing that still felt normal. I thought maybe today I’d distract myself a little. ...