But when we got home, everything changed.

Ava cried constantly—day and night without pause. There was no rhythm, no rest. And I could barely stand. Every movement pulled at my stitches. Even holding my own baby felt like more than I could handle.

Still, I did it.

Because I was her mother.

And someone had to.

Daniel helped—but only when I asked. Never before. Never on his own.

When Ava cried, he would pick her up for a moment, then hand her back with the same words every time:

“She wants you.”

At first, I accepted it.

Then I noticed.

And finally… I understood.

I was alone.

Even with him there.

Four weeks passed, and I still hadn’t healed. My body was weak, my exhaustion constant.

That’s when Daniel told me about the trip.

A celebration for a friend. A promotion. A week at the beach—sun, parties, relaxation.

He spoke as if it were normal. As if I weren’t standing there, still recovering from surgery, still learning how to care for a newborn.

I asked if he was serious.

He said yes.

Without hesitation.

I reminded him of everything—the surgery, the pain, our daughter.

He sighed, as if I were making things difficult.

“It’s just a week,” he said.

A week.

“My mom can help you.”

Something inside me shifted.