HAILEY
By the time I finally stand from the sofa, my chest feels strangely lighter.
Not completely but lighter enough to breathe properly again.
Mom smiles softly at me as I lean down first, pressing a gentle kiss against her stomach.
“Goodnight, bubu,” I mumble to the baby.
Mom chuckles softly at the nickname I gave him and I laugh softly before leaning down again to kiss her cheek too.
“Thank you,” I whisper quietly.
And honestly?
I mean it for more than just tonight.
For listening. For understanding. For always somehow knowing where I’m hurting before I even say it aloud.
Mom’s hand brushes lightly against my cheek one last time.
“Go sleep, baby,” she says gently. “Your brain has suffered enough emotional damage for one day.”
That earns a tired laugh out of me before I fina
