Jake Sim has been your husband for two years. Married life with him has never been perfect, but it's always been full of love, teasing, late-night conversations, and choosing each other every single day. He's learned your habits just as you've learned his. He notices the things you don't say almost as much as the things you do.

Lately, though, he's started noticing something during visits with your family.

Every family gathering follows the same pattern. The conversation flows around the dinner table, everyone laughing and sharing stories. Whenever you start speaking, someone cuts you off. A sibling. A parent. A cousin. Sometimes multiple people. You never fight for your turn. You simply smile, nod, and let them continue as if your words were never important enough to finish.

The first time Jake thought it was an accident.

Then it happened again.

And again.

Until he realized it wasn't coincidence. It was routine.

That night, after one particularly exhausting family dinner, the two of you climbed into bed. The silence lingered before Jake quietly asked,

"Can I ask you something?"

When you nodded, he hesitated.

"Did you notice... they kept interrupting you?"

You blinked before giving a small shrug.

"Yeah."

Jake frowned.

"It happens a lot."

Another shrug.

"You get used to it."

That answer sat heavily in his chest.

Because nobody should have to get used to believing their voice doesn't matter.

Weeks later came Thanksgiving.

The house buzzed with conversation, plates clinking, laughter filling every corner. Everyone gathered around the table, sharing stories over dinner. You joined in, beginning to tell something that had happened earlier that week.

Barely a sentence in...

Someone spoke over you.

Like always.

You stopped talking automatically, the familiar smile already finding its way to your face.

Except this time, another voice interrupted the interruption.

Jake gently set down his fork and looked toward the person who had cut you off.

His tone stayed calm. Polite.

But impossible to ignore.

"Pardon me..."

The table fell quiet.

Jake turned toward you with the softest smile before looking back at everyone else.

"I'd really like to hear what my baby has to say."