Monica's POV
Exhaustion weighed on me like a heavy blanket. The past week had been nothing short of a nightmare, with tears becoming my nightly ritual. Yesterday's conversation with Morris had only ripped open wounds I desperately wanted to heal.
"Morning, sunshine! How are you holding up?" Natalie breezed into the kitchen, cupping my face in her hands and studying me with concern.
"I'm barely functioning, Natalie. This makeup is doing the heavy lifting to hide these raccoon eyes. I'm completely drained."
The intercom's chime interrupted us. While Natalie went to answer it, I focused on feeding Austin his breakfast. My little boy was my anchor in this storm. Just watching him eat, so innocent and happy, brought a momentary peace to my chaotic heart. He gazed up at me with those stunning violet eyes, flashing a toothy grin that made my heart swell.
"You're mommy's everything, sweetheart," I whispered. He clapped his tiny hands and blew me a kiss, coaxing a genuine smile from me.
