Chapter 5
In the photo, after I left with Max, the host improvised the ceremony. David was on stage, and Elaine walked over with the red silk box. The two of them opened it together, discovering the name of the child to the guests.
The shot froze right as she looked up at him.
My mom texted me: "Why are they still up there?"
I stared at the photo for ages, my mind went blank, and I just couldn't reply.
I heard footsteps outside the nursery.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Sophia, it's me," Elaine called out.
Elaine's voice came through the door.
"The relatives wanted to take some photos earlier, so I stood in for you with David for a few shots. Don't overthink it. I just didn't want your folks to feel embarrassed if the stage was empty," Elaine said from outside the door.
I hugged Max tighter.
After a pause, she spoke again, her voice soft. "Also, Mrs. Harper said we can talk about the godmother thing later. Don't worry, I'm not trying to take Max away from you."
She used the word "take away."
It was like she was reminding me. Even she knew she'd already crossed the line and taken my place.
By the time the baptism was over, Max was fast asleep.
I carried him out of the nursery, and most of the guests had already left. The waiters were clearing the tables, and red balloons were scattered all over the floor, popping with tiny bursts as the carts rolled over them.
David was at the door, seeing guests out.
Elaine stood beside him, holding the gift boxes from the relatives for Max. Some guests, not knowing who she was, smiled and praised how cute the baby was. Elaine just lowered her head and smiled, never bothering to clear things up.
David kept quiet too.
My mom walked over and took the gift boxes from her, one by one.
"I'll take the baby's things," she said.
Elaine looked awkward. "Auntie, it's just that there are so many gifts. I was only trying to help out."
."We've got someone to help," my mom said.
After she finished speaking, she had my dad and cousin help her load all the gift boxes into the car.
David's face darkened. "Mom, Elaine is a guest today. You don't need to make things difficult for her."
My mom turned to look at him.
"You'd do well to remember who your mother is," she shot back.
David was left speechless.
I walked up to him. "Have you settled the bill?"
"They're still checking the bill," he replied.
"I'll go check," I said.
"You just finished your postpartum recovery. Go wait in the car," he said, glancing down at Max. "Is Max asleep?"
"Yeah," I replied.
He reached out and gently touched Max's face, like nothing that just happened even mattered.
"You've had a tough day," David said.
I looked at him.
Back then, whenever David softened his voice like that, I'd always back down. During the last months of my pregnancy, he was buried in work and missed three prenatal checkups. Every time he came home, he'd hug me and say I'd worked hard.
I knew he was busy, and I knew he was new to being a dad. Most of my disappointments were quietly smoothed over by those words.
But today, those words couldn't cover it up anymore.
"How did Elaine Summers know the address and time of the party?" I asked.
David paused. "I invited her."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I pressed.
"She heard about Max's baptism and wanted to come see him. I was afraid you'd overthink it," he said.
"You knew I'd mind, but you still brought her," I said.
"She was just a guest at the party," David replied.
"She took my seat, wore my corsage, and even held Max in her arms for a family photo with you," I said.
"I'll delete the photos," David said.
"What about the ones on stage?" I pressed.
He frowned. "You weren't there, and the ceremony had to go on. She just handed over the silk box in your place."
"She was standing right next to you in the photos," I said.
"Sophia, if you'd stayed, who would've let her take your place?" he shot back.
With that one sentence, he pushed all the blame back onto me.
It was like I'd handed Elaine the chance to step onto that stage just because I left with a hungry, crying baby.
I looked at him, and suddenly, I just didn't have the strength to keep asking.
Elaine came over with her bag in hand, her eyes still red.
"David, I'm going now," she said.
"I'll walk you out," David said.