He approached the bassinet as though approaching something sacred. “She’s perfect,” he whispered, brushing the baby’s hand. Then to Olivia he asked, “You okay, kiddo?” His concern was quiet and unshowy, the kind that didn’t need to prove itself. Elise looked away, ashamed of her quick judgment.
When he thanked Elise for “keeping my girl safe,” she caught herself smiling. For a fleeting moment, it seemed Olivia was loved more deeply than she dared believe. But as he left, Elise’s unease returned. Love didn’t always mean safety. She still wondered—what had made Olivia so afraid to begin with?