Silence fell as soon as the door clicked shut. Olivia sat very still, her eyes fixed on the empty doorway. When Elise finally spoke, it was almost a whisper. “You okay?” Olivia nodded, but the gesture was automatic, empty.
“He means well,” she said finally, adjusting the baby’s blanket. “He just… worries…a lot.” Elise forced a reassuring smile, but inside, she wasn’t convinced. Worry shouldn’t usually look like control, or sound like a locked door closing behind you.