Chapter 3: The Truth Comes to Light
A week later, Lily's fever had broken.
Maya finally slept through an entire night.
As Marcus cleaned the kitchen one evening, he noticed a small notebook tucked inside a recipe drawer.
It belonged to Maya.
She hadn't written recipes.
She had written dates.
"March 12... Brenda said I was lazy because I sat down after getting dizzy."
"March 18... Rachel laughed when I cried after my doctor's appointment."
"March 25... Lily asked why Grandma never hugs Mommy."
Marcus stopped reading.
His hands trembled.
He walked quietly into the living room where Maya was folding tiny baby clothes.
"You never told me."
She smiled sadly.
"You already worked fourteen-hour days."
"I didn't want you carrying one more burden."
Marcus knelt beside her.
"You were never a burden."
"I just wasn't here enough to see what was happening."
That night, he made a promise.
No promotion.
No business deal.
May you like
No client.
Would ever matter more than being present for his family.
