Page 11 of The Edge Of Us

She didn't look up. Her fingers trembled as she adjusted her boob in Kyle's mouth.

"He's so small," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "So perfect."

I nodded, kneeling beside the bed, my hand finding hers. "Yeah, he is."

Her fingers twitched under mine. "I don't think I deserve him."

I stiffened. "Corine, don't say that."

She blinked, finally meeting my gaze. Her eyes were glassy, unfocused, like she was drifting somewhere far away. "I-I don't feel like he's mine."

Ice crawled up my spine.

"He is yours, baby," I said firmly. "Ours."

She stared at Kyle, her breathing uneven. "I don't know, Allen. It's like I'm dreaming, and any moment now, I'm going to wake up, and he won't be real."

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "You're not dreaming."

She let out a shaky breath. "I hear things. Whispers." Her fingers clenched the blanket around Kyle. "And I keep forgetting things. I don't even remember how we got here."

Panic flared in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. "That's why we need help, Corine."

She tensed. "You're sending me away."

"No, I'm not."

"Liar."

Her voice was sharp now, laced with something almost feral. Her breathing became erratic, and suddenly, she was gripping Kyle too tightly.

"Corine," I said carefully, reaching for her. "You need to let go of him. You're holding him too tight."

She shook her head frantically, eyes wild. "They're going to take him from me."

"Nobody's taking him," I said, keeping my voice steady. "But you have to let me hold him for a second, okay?"

She clung to Kyle, her whole body trembling. "No."

I took a slow breath, pushing down the rising panic. "Just for a second, baby. Please."

Tears spilled down her cheeks. She was slipping-losing herself to whatever darkness had been clawing at her since the birth. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she loosened her grip just enough for me to carefully take Kyle from her arms.

The moment he was out of her hands, she collapsed against the pillows, sobbing. "I'm a horrible mother."

I cradled our son close, my heart aching. "No, you're not."

She turned her face away, curling into herself. "I can't do this, Allen."

I sat on the edge of the bed, shifting Kyle into one arm so I could brush Corine's damp hair away from her face. "You're not alone in this. We're going to figure it out."

She didn't respond. Her body was shaking so hard the entire bed trembled.

The door creaked open, and I looked up to see Dr. Reynolds standing there, his expression grim. He didn't have to say anything-I already knew what he was thinking.

I swallowed hard. "She can't go."

Dr. Reynolds sighed. "Allen-"

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