Mornings in Newton, an upscale residential area in the Boston suburbs, always began frantically. Emily Hartwell was a woman who worked as a marketing manager at a major advertising agency. For someone who had built her career for nearly 10 years before giving birth, returning to work while caring for her 3-month-old daughter, Olivia was more challenging than she had ever imagined.
“Good morning, Olivia.” Emily gently spoke to her daughter as she lifted the small body from the crib. Morning sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her daughter’s soft cheeks. Since becoming a mother, these moments had become more precious to her than anything else. The aroma of coffee drifted from the kitchen.
Michael, her husband, was probably preparing breakfast. He worked as an executive at an investment firm and was even busier than Emily. Recently, he had been handling particularly large projects and business trips were becoming more frequent. After 5 years of marriage, their relationship seemed stable.
But since Olivia’s birth, Emily had sensed subtle changes. Good morning, Michael. When she came down to the living room, her husband was in a suit, adjusting his tie while watching the morning news. When he saw Emily, he glanced at his watch. You’re up early today. How’s Olivia doing? Michael’s voice seemed to lack some of the warmth it once had.
However, Emily tried to interpret this as being due to work stress. She slept well last night. Emily answered with a smile. I wanted to get things ready before your mother arrives. When Emily returned to work, it was Michael’s mother, Margaret, who had taken on the daytime child care duties. While hiring a professional babysitter was an option, Margaret’s offer had also reduced their financial burden.
The doorbell rang. Looking at the clock, it was still only 7:30 a.m. Margaret always arrived a little earlier than the promised time. Emily hurried to open the door. “Good morning, Emily.” Margaret responded with a warm smile. She had her graying hair neatly arranged. Perhaps due to her experience as a former nurse, she was skilled at handling babies and was a reassuring presence for Emily.
How is little Olivia doing? She’s very healthy. She slept for six straight hours last night, Emily said with a relieved expression. As a new mother, she was often troubled by night crying, but recently things seemed to be stabilizing gradually. When Margaret picked up Olivia, she checked on her condition with practiced hands.
Such a good girl, Olivia. Let’s have a fun time together with Grandma. While getting ready, Emily listened to her mother-in-law’s gentle voice. Having Margaret there allowed her to focus on work with peace of mind. However, at the same time, she couldn’t deny the subtle discomfort she occasionally felt.
It was a sensation that was difficult to put into words. Margaret was certainly kind and took perfect care of Olivia, but something nagged at her. “I’ll be a little late today,” Emily said, shouldering her bag. “The client meeting is scheduled to continue until evening.” “Don’t worry. Olivia and I get along just fine,” Margaret answered while soothing the baby.
“Will Michael be late again today?” Yes, he has business trips this week, too. Emily answered with a slightly lonely expression. While she understood that her husband’s work was busy, recently his time with the family had become extremely limited. His interaction with Olivia was also less enthusiastic than before, and sometimes he even showed irritation.
In the car on her way to the office, Emily was thinking about various things. It had only been a month since returning to work. Her colleagues had welcomed her warmly, but she was also realizing how difficult it was to work at the same pace as before. Balancing responsibilities as a mother and as a professional was more complex than she had imagined.
Still, having Margaret there meant she didn’t need to worry about daytime child care, at least. Her experience as a nurse was also reassuring. Margaret observed Olivia’s health condition closely and provided advice when necessary. While waiting at a traffic light, Emily checked the messages that had arrived on her phone. It was from Margaret.
Olivia is in very good spirits. Please focus on your work with peace of mind, it read. While grateful for her thoughtfulness, Emily continued thinking about the source of her uneasiness. The next morning, Emily went to Olivia’s room as usual. Seeing her daughter’s sleeping face was one of her daily pleasures.
However, when she approached the crib, Olivia was already awake and seemed to be stiffening her small body. “Good morning, Olivia.” Emily spoke gently as she tried to pick up her daughter. But at that moment, Olivia began crying intensely. It wasn’t ordinary crying, but a desperate sound, as if she were frightened of something.
Emily, while bewildered, held her daughter to her chest and gently soothed her. “What’s wrong, Olivia? Are you hungry? Michael’s footsteps could be heard from downstairs. He hurried up the stairs and opened the bedroom door. At that moment, Olivia’s crying became even more intense. Crying again. Michael’s voice clearly contained irritation.
Every single morning, the noise is unbearable. It’s natural for babies to cry,” Emily said, somewhat shocked by her husband’s words while holding her daughter protectively. “Isn’t it because your way of raising her is wrong?” Michael said coldly. Other families babies are much quieter. Emily was at a loss for words.
This was the first time Michael had become so cold. Before marriage, he had loved children, and she had been certain he would become a good father. That’s no way to talk. Olivia is only 3 months old. Anyway, I have work to do. I can’t concentrate with this racket in the morning, Michael said as he turned on his heel and left the room.
Once alone, Emily fought back tears while soothing Olivia. Certainly, as a new mother, there was still much she didn’t understand. But Michael’s words cut deep into her heart. She was beginning to lose confidence in her parenting. That evening, Emily returned home from work. As usual, Margaret was in the living room holding Olivia.
But something was different. Olivia was unusually quiet, appearing completely exhausted. “Welcome home,” Margaret stood up and handed Olivia to Emily. “Today was particularly difficult. Did something happen?” Emily asked worriedly. No, nothing special. It’s just that Olivia was a little fussy today. Margaret’s expression showed fatigue.
She was crying all afternoon. Emily looked at Olivia. Her daughter’s eyes lacked their usual sparkle. She gave the impression of being frightened of something. Specifically, how was she crying? Well, ordinary crying, I suppose, Margaret answered vaguely. Babies sometimes cry for no reason, don’t they? That night, Michael came home late.
After putting Olivia to bed, Emily waited for her husband. Welcome home. Emily offered coffee to her husband. Thank you. Michael sat on the sofa looking tired. How was today? How was Olivia’s condition? She was fussy today. She was crying all afternoon, apparently. Michael frowned. I knew there was something wrong with your way of raising her. Mother seems troubled, too.
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