“I don’t care,” he barked. “You’re the maid. Not the mother. Not anything.”

The moment Lily left her arms, the baby screamed. Her little hands clawed at the air, her sobs shrill and panicked.

“Shh, Lily… it’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here,” Nathaniel whispered awkwardly, but the child only cried harder, writhing in his arms, red-faced and gasping.

“Why won’t she stop?” he muttered.

Maya’s voice was quiet but steady. “I tried everything. She only sleeps if I hold her. That’s all.”

Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. He stood frozen, as if unsure whether to believe her. The baby’s cries grew more desperate.

“Give her back to me,” Maya said, her tone firm now.

His eyes narrowed. “I said—”

“She’s scared,” Maya cut in. “You’re scaring her. Give her back.”