Page 47 of Insidious

“I’ll come back this weekend,” she adds. “We’ll see if you’re ready then.” Then she taps my forehead lightly. “Chin up, loser.”

A small smile pulls at my lips despite everything.

“Okay,” I say.

She nods once and leaves, and the room feels emptier without her.

Amelie is fast asleep in her crib, her tiny chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm that I find myself syncing to without even realising.

Then Isaac comes in.

I have noticed that the temperature in the room drops a few degrees when Lily sees him.

He carefully closes the door behind him and walks in, like he is not sure where he’s allowed to stand anymore.

After a moment of indecision, he sits beside me. His eyes don’t meet mine.

Isaac now does this thing where he looks at me when he thinks I’m not looking—quick, stolen glances—and then looks away the moment I turn towards him.

And I—

I’m ready for it. Ready for that fight.

For the explosion that has been building inside me since the day I gave birth. I am going to tear into him. I can feel it sitting there, sharp and waiting for an outlet.

I get one thing now.

Men don’t do complicated.

They sense something is wrong, something off, but instead of asking, instead of digging, they circle it. Tiptoe around it. Wait for it to resolve on its own or for the wife to forget. Which she never does.

So, it is up to me to take the lead.

Earlier today, Manon came in with Isaac’s father, Kel.

She sat beside my bed and looked at Amelie for a long moment before speaking.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, not meeting my eyes. I could feel she meant it, but I was not quite in that forgiving place yet.

“I would like to—”

I stopped her gently with my palm out.

“I do not want to have this conversation yet,” I said. “I think we should wait until I’m home.”

She nodded immediately, her eyes filling as she sniffed, accepting it without argument.

And as she stood to leave, something in me hardened just enough to say it. The kid gloves were off.

“I don’t want to see Chloe here,” I said.

She paused as if she had been expecting it. Manon always has her way, and I have always given in to keep the peace.

“She is not my friend,” I continued, my voice steady now. “And she will not touch my daughter again.”

Manon didn’t argue. She just nodded and left.

Chapter 12