Chapter 7 - Olivia’s baby shower
People asked why I had gone.
Because family pressure works best when it disguises itself as maturity.
Four months after divorce, Olivia announced her pregnancy.
Karen called me.
“You will be happy for your sister.”
I said:
“I am.”
“Then act like it.”
I attended the gender-reveal dinner.
Sent a gift.
Did not attend nursery shopping.
Declined one brunch.
Each absence became:
Emily can’t handle Olivia being pregnant.
Maybe partly true.
Pregnancy after loss hurt.
But I never wanted Olivia to lose her child.
That distinction mattered.
Then came the shower invitation.
Karen called:
“If you skip this, everyone will know why.”
I asked:
“Why do you care what everyone knows?”
“Because Olivia should not have her pregnancy turned into your tragedy.”
There.
I should have stayed home.
Instead I attended to prove I was not jealous.
That was my mistake.
May you like
I entered a room where two women already felt entitled to define my grief.
I gave them the audience they wanted.
