The Words That Broke Me-kybie

I couldn’t breathe.

Slowly… I turned my head toward the door.

Olivia stood there.

Smiling.

Innocent.

Clutching her baby doll like she always did.

She had no idea what those words meant.

That was the worst part.

On the bed, my husband stirred.

He opened his eyes slowly.

Confused at first.

Then—

He saw me.

Standing inside the room.

Our eyes locked.

And in that moment…

Everything changed.

The sleep vanished from his face.

Replaced instantly by something else.

Fear.

Pure fear.

“Olivia… go back to your room,” I said.

My voice was calm.

Too calm.

She frowned slightly.

“But mummy—”

“NOW.”

She flinched.