HAILEY
The morning started like a dream.Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the packhouse, and for once, laughter soft and unburdened filled the halls instead of war cries or political bickering. I was on the floor, legs folded under me, watching the triplets tumble around in a whirlwind of toddler chaos. Jermaine was trying to wrestle with a pillow twice his size, Jackson kept pulling the blocks down just as Jaden was stacking them up, and Jaden my serious little warrior was glaring at him like Jackson had just insulted the moon.“Mommy, look!” Jaden’s tiny voice lifted, so proud, so bright. He pointed at his block tower shaky but determined.“It’s amazing, sweetheart,” I said, crawling closer and clapping for him. “It’s incredible, my love.” I meant every word. His smile? It co
