Page 21 of Insidious

“For now,” I reply. “Ask me again in an hour.”

His hand finds mine, squeezing gently just as there is a knock, and the door opens.

“Ah, there she is.”

Manon.

And behind her—

Chloe?

I feel it immediately.

That small, uncomfortable feeling in my chest. The one that sits there every time Chloe comes by.

She looks exactly as she always does: perfectly put together, blonde hair falling neatly around her shoulders, her small, delicate frame in a perfect jumpsuit that looks like it was tailored for her.

Grey eyes watch everything.

“Oh, she’s beautiful,” she whispers.

I give a tired smile.

“Thank you.”

“They’ll want you to try feeding her again,” Manon says, already stepping closer with that no-nonsense manner I secretly hate. She is in nurse mode now. She worked in Obs Gyne for the longest time.

I swallow, suddenly aware of everything—the gown, how exposed I feel, how vulnerable this moment seems. I also know I don’t want to breastfeed in front of Chloe. I want them both out.

Instead, I hear myself say,“I—yeah. I’ll try.”

Chloe steps closer.

“Can I hold her?”

The question is soft.

My instinct is immediate.

No.

Too soon. I feel like a lioness guarding her young.

I don’t even know her well. Not beyond the edges of Isaac’s world and that quiet, persistent presence in our lives ever since she moved back here six months ago with Manon occasionally admonishing Isaac to help her out.

But the word ‘no’ doesn’t come.

It gets stuck somewhere between politeness and exhaustion and not wanting to seem … difficult.

“It’s alright,” I hear myself say, like it is not me, but someone else.

Chloe smiles—small and grateful—and takes Amelie carefully.

“She’s perfect,” she murmurs. Then, she gives Isaac a long, lingering look. One I do not like at all. I give him a look as well, which has him moving closer to me.

***

Feeding doesn’t go well. Chloe does not leave, though I try to send her the get lost vibes.