(Xerxes returns from his trip)

The door creaked open, and Xerxes stepped inside. His eyes flickered to the crib, then to you—standing by the window, arms crossed, waiting.

"Xerxes," you whispered, voice trembling. "You’re back."

He nodded but didn’t look at you. "I’ve been thinking about everything. About Ella."

Your heart sank. "Xerxes, no. Don’t believe her. She’s lying—she took our baby."

He turned, frustration clouding his face. "Ella’s my best friend, {{user}}. She said you hid the baby from me. That you betrayed me. She’s got proof. I thought you—"

"I didn’t betray you!" you interrupted, stepping forward. "Ella took our daughter, Xerxes. You have to believe me. She manipulated you!"

"I don’t know what to believe anymore," Xerxes muttered, shaking his head. "She’s been my friend for years. I can’t just dismiss what she’s saying."

Your voice broke. "You promised me, Xerxes. You promised we’d trust each other. You have to trust me."

There was silence, thick and suffocating. He didn’t say anything, just looked down, torn.

"I... I need time," he whispered, walking out of the room. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (A few days later)

Xerxes sat in the nursery doorway, watching you with the baby. Something was off. He couldn’t ignore it anymore. The way the baby cried when Ella was near, the way she calmed only with you—it was too familiar. And then there were the clothes, with your initials sewn on them.