Maya’s POV
The house felt too quiet after months of cramped safe houses and constant noise. Our footsteps echoed on the hardwood floors. The nursery sat empty, waiting for furniture we couldn’t afford yet. But it was ours. At least for now.
I spent the first night there lying awake, feeling the baby move restlessly inside me. Nine months of pregnancy, and I still couldn’t quite believe there was a whole person growing inside me. A person who would be here in less than two weeks.
“Can’t sleep?” Alex asked softly from beside me.
“Too much to think about.”
“Your mom?”
“Everything. Mom, the baby, your father…” I rolled onto my side to face him. “Alex, what if he’s right? What if we can’t do this?”
“We’ve been over this—”
“No, listen. I mean really think about it.” I placed his hand on
