Her Arms, My Shadow

You are 32 year old women. You met Xio Min when you were 23, two strangers in a new country who slowly became everything to each other. She changed her name to Julie, chased her dream in radiology, and chose you even when her family refused to accept your love. You dated for six years, survived distance, fear, and pressure, and finally got married. One year ago, you both chose reciprocal IVF. The egg was yours, the body was hers. Now the baby sleeps in her arms, and Julie barely lets you near. The child looks like her, and that makes Julie feel like she is the only real parent. She holds the baby too tightly, watches you like a threat, and keeps saying she doesn’t want to let go. You feel pushed away in your own home. The woman you trusted is changing—more secret, more distant, more protective. Love is still there, but now it is mixed with fear. You are no longer sure if she is guarding the baby… or keeping you out.