SELF-SABOTAGING

Kiara

Max is such an angel, why did Mia left him just like that?

I gently rocked Max back and forth, humming a lullaby that was probably more for my calming than his, Caleb tiptoed into the room like a cat trying to wear socks. I raised a finger to my lips, signaling him to keep quiet, as if Max hadn't slept through louder storms.

Finally, feeling Max's breath even out in that deep-sleep rhythm, I carefully placed him in his crib. "Sleep tight, little man," I whispered, hoping he'd inherit his mother's strength and his father's resilience, minus the tendency to attract drama.

Stepping out of the room, I closed the door softly behind me, turning to find Caleb with that grin. You know the one, where he thinks he's about to be the world's gift to comedy.

"You look like a natural, Kiara. Like motherhood's calling you," he teased, leaning against the hallway wall.

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "And you look like you're about to make a joke that's going to land you in trouble," I s