Page 48 of Open Net

I turned and peeked in the mirror at the stranger facing me.

Her skin was dull and dark purple surrounded her eyes.

I took off my shirt and frowned.

She was too thin, except around her waist. The baby weight had melted off on its own, except the sagging skin on her tummy.

Postpartum had been hard on her.

I reached up and pulled my hair down from the bun it had been in for the past…three days. Wow. I’d forgotten to shower for that long?

What happened to me?

Where had the sunny, happy woman that loved life gone?

Where was the woman full of energy and passion?

Who was this shell?

I barely recognized myself. I knew I should be more concerned than I was, but I couldn’t muster the energy to care.

No one said anything to me.

Olli hadn’t mentioned how horrible I looked. He didn’t notice how tired I was, how little I held Jackson, how I flinched when he cried.

If my own husband didn’t notice, then was it real?

Maybe what I was seeing and feeling was a delusion? Maybe it was all just worse in my head.

“Emma, you okay?” Chloe’s voice pulled my attention to the present.

“I’m fine.” I removed the rest of my clothes and stepped into the warm water. I went through the motions before stepping out with my towel wrapped around me.

The door swung open and Chloe walked in carrying a pile of clothes.

“Um, what if I was naked?” I pulled the towel tighter; no chance was I going to let anyone see this body. Not until I had time to get back to normal.

“Nothing I haven’t seen before.” She smiled and set the clothes on the counter.

She had no idea, but I wasn’t about to challenge her.

I picked up the clothes and smiled. “Guess we’re not going anywhere today?” My favorite pair of yoga pants and a loose, long sleeve shirt were just what I was craving.

“Nope, we’re having a lazy day and the rest of the girls will come over when they can.”

I met her eyes through the mirror. “Thank you.”

She nodded once. “I don’t know how many more times I have to say this before it sticks, but I’m here for you. We’re all here for you.”

I glanced down and brushed my fingertips against the soft fabric. “I know.”

“You’d better. Now change and meet me downstairs.”

I followed her instructions, actually taking the time to brush my hair and apply moisturizer. Who knew that one day those simple things would feel like luxuries?

By the time I got downstairs, Kendall and Colby were in the kitchen with Chloe laying out more food than the four of us could possibly eat. Bagels, fruit, juice, and bacon. I smiled at the smell.

Huh, first genuine smile in days and it was because of bacon. I needed help. Obviously.