In the first picture, she stood beside a resort pool wearing new sunglasses.
In the second, Jason raised a glass at a seafood restaurant.
In another, Diane smiled in Claire’s shawl while holding a designer handbag Ethan had never seen.
The caption read:
New Year’s in paradise with the people who truly understand the meaning of family.
Ethan stared at the screen until the words blurred.
Claire touched his sleeve.
“Please don’t do anything while you’re angry.”
He placed the phone facedown.
“You and Lily need food. Everything else can wait.”
That answer surprised her.
She had expected shouting, furious calls, perhaps an immediate confrontation.
Instead, Ethan washed his hands, checked the baby, and called Claire’s doctor.
The doctor advised him to bring Claire to an urgent appointment the following morning, but said she did not appear to need emergency care based on the symptoms Ethan described. She needed rest, hydration, nutritious meals, and help with the baby.
Ethan called the postpartum nurse next.
She sounded shocked.
“Your mother told me Claire’s sister had moved in,” she said. “She said the family wanted privacy.”
“Claire doesn’t have a sister.”
There was a long pause.
“I can be there at seven tomorrow morning,” the nurse replied.
Ethan then ordered groceries, formula, medicine, diapers, and prepared meals from three different stores.
While waiting for the deliveries, he made Claire oatmeal and scrambled eggs from supplies he bought at a nearby convenience store. It was not an elegant New Year’s dinner, but Claire ate every bite.
At 11:55 p.m., Ethan sat beside her on the sofa with Lily sleeping against his chest.
There were no fireworks inside their home.
No party.
No champagne.
Only the soft ticking of the clock and the quiet sound of their daughter breathing.
When midnight arrived, Ethan kissed Claire’s forehead.
“This year,” he whispered, “no one gets to convince you that you’re alone.”
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