Seth woke up from the noise. He didn't protest. He just got out of bed, pulled on his clothes, and said without looking at me:
"Mom's right. You've had a whole month of being waited on hand and foot. Time to pull your weight."
I looked at the two of them and nodded.
"Fine."
My quick compliance put a gleam of satisfaction in Cornelia's eyes.
Like a trainer who'd finally broken a wild horse, she straightened her back and swept out the door.
Seth looked at me with an approving smile. "Babe, I knew it. You've always been the sensible one."
He stepped closer, leaning in to kiss my forehead.
I turned my head away. "You'd better go. Your mom's waiting."
Seth blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing his face, but he didn't think much of it. He washed up and left with Cornelia.
The front door clicked shut. I looked down at the baby sleeping in my arms.
Then I dialed a number I hadn't called in a long time.
"I need you to do something for me."
After I finished giving instructions, I got up and packed a quick bag.
Then I took my son and headed home. My real home.
On the train, I saw that Cornelia had posted on social media.
A selfie at the spa, with the caption:
"The good life starts now."