Chapter 15
The baby survived.
The physician confirmed it again a week later.
I had not realized how carefully I had been holding my breath until I heard the heartbeat.
Maya cried.
So did I.
Quietly enough that she pretended not to notice.
Later, she did something I did not expect.
She asked to see Evelyn.
I said no immediately.
Maya smiled faintly.
“You said she can’t see the baby without my permission.”
“Yes.”
“I’m giving permission to see me.”
Different.
Fair.
Evelyn entered the sitting room without pearls for the first time I could remember. Without guards of her own. Without three relatives hovering behind her, waiting for cues.
Smaller.
Still dangerous.
Maya remained seated.
My mother looked at her stomach.
“So it survived.”
I felt rage rise.
Maya answered before I could.
“Our baby survived.”
Evelyn rolled her eyes.
“Same thing.”
“No.”
Maya’s voice stayed calm.
“It’s not a thing.”
My mother looked toward me.
“You allow this tone?”
I almost smiled.
“There.”
Evelyn frowned.
“That question.”
“What about it?”
“You still think her voice needs my permission.”
Silence.
Maya looked at her.
“You wanted me to lose the baby because you thought Caleb becoming a father would make you irrelevant.”
My mother laughed.
“I already raised a son.”
“That’s not what I said.”
Evelyn’s face tightened.
Maya continued.
“You were afraid he’d learn loving a child feels different from owing a mother.”
That hit.
Hard.
I saw it.
Evelyn stood.
“This conversation is over.”
Maya did not stop her.
Neither did I.
My mother reached the doorway.
Then Maya said:
“I don’t hate you.”
Evelyn paused.
“That would require keeping you too close.”
My mother left.
I looked at Maya.
She exhaled shakily.
“You planned that?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Because it scared me.”
She laughed softly.
So did I.
May you like
Healing was not becoming fearless.
It was discovering fear no longer decided who was allowed to speak.
