Chapter 9
He took it out and glanced at the screen.
Elaine.
"Go ahead, answer it," I said.
"I'll call her back later," he replied.
The call stopped for a few seconds, then started ringing again.
David stepped out onto the balcony to take the call, keeping his voice low. While I was buttoning up Max's clothes and carrying him through the living room, I overheard a few words.
"I know you didn't mean it," he said.
"Sophia's just tired and a bit emotional today," David said quietly.
"Let's hold off on the godmother thing for now. Just don't bring it up," he added.
I paused at the nursery door.
So they'd already discussed making her Max's godmother without me knowing.
When David finished the call and came back, he saw me standing by the door with Max in my arms, and for a moment, he looked a little uncomfortable.
"What's wrong with her?" I asked.
"She's been crying since she got home," he said.
"What's she crying about?" I asked.
"She thinks she upset you today," David replied.
"Then she should be apologizing to me, not running to you in tears," I said.
"She already texted you," David said.
"She only explained the housing mortgage," I replied.
David tried to keep his temper in check. "What do you want from her? Should she get down on her knees and beg for your forgiveness?"
"I want her to stay away from my child," I said.
His face darkened.
"Is that really necessary?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"Just because she held Max once, you want her to keep her distance?" he said.
"She took my place as his mother, wore my brooch, posed for a family photo with you and Max, and now she wants to be his godmother too," I said.
I hugged Max tighter, keeping my voice steady. "I'm not okay with it."
David fell silent, his gaze dropping to Max.
"It's just a title," he said.
"But why her?" I pressed.
"She loves kids," he replied.
"Lots of people love kids," I said.
"She lost one," he said quietly.
I looked at him.
And here we are again.
Every time that unborn child gets mentioned, Elaine gets to cut in line. She can insert herself into my marriage, spend our money, hold my baby, and even act like she's the mom.
"So just because she lost a child, Max is supposed to fill that void for her?" I asked.
"Nobody's handing Max over to her," David said.
"You literally just said you wanted her to be his godmother," I shot back.
"It's just something to give her comfort," he said.
"Why does my son have to be the one she leans on?" I asked.
David finally lost his patience.
"Sophia, you already have a healthy child. Elaine will never get to be a mother again. Letting her hold Max now and then, letting her be his godmother. It's not like you're losing anything," he said, his voice tight.
Max, scared by his tone, burst into tears in my arms.
I gently patted his back.
"What would it take for you to recognize what I'm losing?" I asked.
David frowned. "Don't say pointless things."
"Whenever she wants to hold Max, you tell me I already have a child. When she needs a house, you say the joint account is half yours anyway. When she takes my place, you brush it off as just a few minutes," I said.
I looked at him. "So as long as you haven't literally given Max to her, you think I haven't lost a thing?"
His face darkened. "Don't be so dramatic."
David's phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a video call from Mrs. Harper.
He answered, and Mrs. Harper's face popped up on the screen. She was completely unaware of our argument, beaming as she showed off a red jewelry box.
"Look, Elaine just got Max's gold amulet delivered!" she said.
Inside was a tiny gold amulet, dangling with two little gold bells.
On the front, it was engraved with "Peace and Good Fortune."
On the back, a small inscription was etched.
A gift from Godmother Elaine Summers.
I stared at the screen, unable to say a word.
Mrs. Harper was still smiling. "Elaine's so thoughtful. She ordered it a month ago. She was going to give it to Max at his baptism, but with everything that happened today, she forgot. I'll bring it over tomorrow, and you can put it on Max for a photo."
Ordered a month ago.
Back then, nobody asked me if I was okay with Elaine being Max's godmother.
David didn't look surprised either.
He already knew.
"Don't bring it over," I said.
Mrs. Harper's smile froze. "What?"
"Max won't be wearing that gold amulet," I said.