I was too exhausted to keep fighting.

Most days, I barely had enough energy to feed the baby, shower, and remember whether I had eaten.

Eventually, I stopped arguing.

Then, a few days later, his mother came over again.

This time, Caleb let her inside.

I was upstairs rocking the baby when I heard them arguing.

At first, I ignored it.

Then his mother said:

“You told me it was over.”

I stopped rocking.

Silence.

Then Caleb answered:

“Mom, not here.”

“No. I’m tired of covering for you.”

My entire body went cold.

Covering for him?

I stood up with the baby against my chest and started toward the stairs.

Naturally, that was the exact moment she began to cry.

I bounced her gently.

“It’s okay. Mommy’s here.”

Downstairs, their voices became quieter.

By the time I got the baby settled and finally made it downstairs, my mother-in-law had already left.