Whispers of Deceit.

Chapter 6

As I reach the top of the stairs, already bracing myself to decline and slap on a fake smile, a soft gurgle catches my attention. That's... odd. I take two steps down and hear Jared cooing, and my stomach tightens. No. It can't be.

When I finally reach the bottom of the stairs, the scene hits me: Nick, Callie, and Jared—all standing in my hallway, and in Jared's arms, their daughter, Leila.

Callie is the first to notice me. "Thalia! It's been too long," she says, pulling me into a hug. I force myself to return it, my eyes flickering toward their baby.

Nick greets me with a hug as well, and when I step back, there it is. Jared holding Leila, looking completely at ease. I hate to admit it, but he does look good with a child in his arms.

"Do you want to hold her?" Jared asks, and before I can protest, he places the baby in my arms.

As they chat casually, I stare down at Leila, waiting for some flicker of emotion to surface—something, anything. But I don't feel anything.

"Natalia."

I snap back to reality, meeting Jared's gaze as he smiles at me. "I said, shall we head into the living room?"

"Uh, sure," I mutter, nodding.

I glance over at Nick and Callie, waiting for them to take the baby, but they just walk off, leaving me awkwardly holding Leila. Perfect. I follow behind them, staring down at the tiny bundle in my arms, completely out of my depth. What am I even supposed to do with her? My eyes dart around the room, searching for a safe spot to put her down, but every surface in my house screams dangerous. Yet another reason I should never have kids.

"I'll take her," Callie says, finally relieving me of the baby with a smile.

Thank God. As she cradles Leila, she asks Jared if there's somewhere she can lay her down for a nap. He suggests the bedroom, mentioning she could build a pillow wall to keep her from rolling off the bed. Pillow walls? I wouldn't have thought of that in a million years—another solid reason why motherhood isn't for me.

Callie disappears upstairs, and I escape to the kitchen while Jared and Nick chat in the Living room. My eyes land on four wine glasses and a bottle of red. Without hesitation, I pop the cork and pour myself a massive glass, downing it in five seconds flat.

Just as I'm about to pour another, Jared walks in. He smiles, presses a kiss to my head, and gently takes the bottle from my hand. "I've got this," he says softly. "Go join them in the living room."

I want to argue, insist that I can handle it, and let him deal with our baby-obsessed guests, but instead, I just nod and head into the living room. God help me, I think as I take my seat. This is going to be a long night.

Once I am sat on the sofa, my mind still swirling from the glass of wine, I look to Nick on the other sofa, who's already settled in. The room feels heavier than usual, like the tension is ready to snap at the smallest provocation. The soft clink of cutlery from the kitchen tells me Jared is still prepping, while Callie is upstairs with Leila. For a moment, there's an awkward silence.

Nick clears his throat and gives me a polite smile, "It's really good to see you, Natalia. It's been a while."

I nod, forcing a smile back. "Yeah, it has. How've you been?"

"Oh, you know... just busy. Kids change everything." His eyes light up when he says that, as if the chaos of parenthood is the best thing that's ever happened to him. It's almost contagious, the way he speaks about it. Almost. I just nod again, avoiding his gaze as I scan the room, wondering how soon I can escape.