Not because I wanted him as a replacement for Ryan.
Not because I was confused.
Because Eli had become proof that when I reached out, someone might actually come.
“You’ll text?” I asked.
“If you want.”
“I want.”
He nodded.
Daniel looked between us but said nothing.
Eli crouched slightly near the car seat.
“Goodbye, Lily Grace.”
Her eyes opened for half a second, unfocused and dark.
Eli smiled sadly.
“You take care of your mom.”
I said, “She’s a newborn.”
“Then mostly emotionally.”
Daniel snorted.
Eli stood.
At the door, he turned back.
“Claire.”
“Yes?”
“You did the right thing.”
I wanted to believe him.
“I don’t feel like it.”
“Right things rarely feel clean at first.”
Then he left.
The first week at Daniel’s apartment was a blur of milk, pain, legal calls, and sleeplessness.
Ryan sent messages through Priya, then ignored instructions and emailed me directly.
