12May
Today the world Id imagined shattered the moment my husband walked back into the ward. I had spent years dreaming of thisholding three newborn girls in my arms. The nurses had just placed them in their tiny cribs, their faces smooth and peaceful, when Jack appeared, pale and distant, as if the very air in the room made him uneasy.
I tried to coax him to sit beside me, to share in the miracle wed created. Come, Jack, look at them, I whispered, patting the chair. He muttered a halfhearted compliment, never meeting my eyes. Then, with a breath that seemed to carry the weight of the whole world, he said, Emily, I dont think we can keep them.
My heart dropped. What are you saying? Theyre our daughters! I demanded, feeling the floor give way beneath me.
He stared at the floor and whispered that his mother had visited a fortuneteller who claimed the babies would bring nothing but misfortune and even doom his life. I stared at him, stunned. You cant be serious. Theyre just babies!
He shook his head, eyes glazed with fear. Mum swears by her predictions. Shes never been so certain of anything before.
Anger flared hot and sharp inside me. So youd abandon them because of a ridiculous prophecy? Just leave them here?
He hesitated, then said in a trembling voice, If you want to take them home fine. But I wont be there. Im sorry, Emily. He turned toward the door, his shoulders slumped, and left without another word. The hallway echoed with his footsteps, and a nurse entered, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder as I gathered my things.
I leaned over my three girlsEleanor, Mabel, and Agneswhispering, Dont worry, loves. Im here. Ill always be here. Fear and fierce resolve tangled inside me. I had no idea how I would manage alone, but I vowed never to abandon them.
The weeks that followed were a blur of sleepless nights and endless feedings. Each day without Jack felt harder than the last. My sisterinlaw, Beth, came to help, the only member of his family willing to keep in touch. She arrived one afternoon looking troubled.
Emily, I overheard something I think you should know, she said, biting her lip. Your motherinlaw told Aunt Carol there was no fortuneteller at all. She made it up, fearing that with triplets youd take Jacks time away from her.
Rage boiled over. She tore my family apart for her own selfish fear. Beths hand on my shoulder was the only comfort as I tried to keep my shaking hands from dropping Gracenow Agnesagain.
That night I lay awake, torn between confronting my motherinlaw and reaching out to Jack. In the morning I called him, my fingers trembling with each ring. When he answered I said, Jack, there was no fortuneteller. Your mother invented it.
He replied coldly, I dont believe that. My mother wouldnt fabricate something so serious. I pressed, She told Beth she made it up. She feared losing you. He scoffed, then, after a long silence, said, Im sorry, Emily. I cant do this. The line clicked dead, sealing his decision.
Life as a single mum was a daily battle, but friends and relatives began to pitch inbringing meals, watching the babies while I rested. Each coo, each tiny hand gripping my finger reminded me why I would never let anyone take them away again.
A few weeks later, Jacks mother stood at my door, pale and remorseful. Emily, I never meant for any of this, she sobbed. I was terrified hed forget me if you had the girls. Im so sorry. I looked at her, anger softening just enough to hear the truth, then turned back to the nursery where my daughters slept. I have nothing more to say, I told her, and closed the door.
A year has passed since that day. Jack returned, a ghost of the man I once loved, begging to come back. I met his eyes and said, I already have a family. You werent there when we needed you. I dont need you now. As I shut the door behind him, the weight that had pressed on my chest finally lifted. It wasnt fate or a cursed prophecy that ruined our liveshe did that himself.
