Tears welled in my eyes as Ella began to cry. I gently rocked her, trying to soothe her, but Sophie soon joined in, their tiny cries filling the quiet street. The overwhelming exhaustion from the past few days hit me all at once.
Then, my neighbor, Mrs. Jenkins, appeared at her window, her expression filled with concern. “Oh my goodness, dear, what’s going on?” she asked, hurrying over.
I couldn’t find the words. Instead, I handed her the note. She read it quickly, her expression tightening. “You can’t stand out here like this with the babies. Come inside, now.”
Hesitating for a moment, I looked back at the locked door, but exhaustion won. I nodded, following Mrs. Jenkins into her home.
Inside, she helped settle the babies, making bottles and offering quiet reassurance. I sank onto her couch, feeling as if the weight of the world had just been placed on my shoulders. She sat beside me, her voice gentle yet firm.
“You need rest, and those girls need their mother to be strong.”
Her kindness brought fresh tears to my eyes. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I don’t know what to do.”
“You’re going to take this one step at a time,” she said. “But first, you deserve some answers. Call him.”
With shaking hands, I pulled out my phone and dialed Derek’s number. It rang twice before going to voicemail. I tried again, but no answer. Swallowing my emotions, I left a message. “Derek, what’s going on? Call me back.”
Hours passed in a blur of tea, quiet conversations, and the gentle support of Mrs. Jenkins. Then, finally, my phone buzzed. A text from Derek.
“I’ve made up my mind. It’s best this way. The girls deserve a peaceful home.”
I took a deep breath, the pieces beginning to fall into place. It wasn’t the future I had envisioned, but I wasn’t alone. Looking at my daughters, I knew I had a purpose—to give them the love and stability they deserved.
Mrs. Jenkins placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “You are stronger than you know. And you’re not facing this alone.”
I wiped my tears and nodded. She was right. I would take this one step at a time. I would find a way forward—not just for myself, but for Ella and Sophie.
This was not an ending. It was a new beginning.