Dinner

JUDE POV

Isadora leaned over the crib and lifted my adopted daughter up, cradling her to her chest. I was always the one who took her out of bed when she cried.

Simona fell silent and was staring up at my young wife. I waited for the inevitable outburst—an even worse crying fit than before—but Simona only let out a small cry. “Shh. You’re the cutest little thing I’ve ever seen.” And then Isadora bent down and kissed my daughter’s left cheek, then her right. “With the cutest chubby cheeks that I can imagine.”

My heart thudded in my chest, an uneven staccato I could feel in my ears. I couldn’t move. Simona reached for Isadora’s bangs and tugged, but my wife only laughed and blew out air, sending her hair flying up, causing Simona’s eyes to widen. Then she giggled.

Simona giggled.

Isadora looked up and smiled, unguarded, happy, and hopeful. I turned around and stalked out. “I’ll prepare the bottle,” I pressed. Even though I wished she wouldn’t, Isadora followed me downstairs. She watched