PART 1
My husband made me hide upstairs during his promotion dinner because I wasn’t « back in shape » 3 weeks after having twins — I agreed, but he had no idea what I’d left at the table.
Three weeks after giving birth to twins, I was still sore, swollen, and surviving on two-hour stretches of sleep.
My name is Elena, and when my husband, Lucas, announced that his boss and several senior colleagues were coming to dinner, I assumed we’d order catering.
He laughed.
« This promotion could change our lives. I need tonight to look perfect. »
While Lucas spent Friday at work, I cleaned the house between feedings, changed the guest towels, polished eight wine glasses, roasted chicken, made potatoes and salad, and somehow baked a chocolate cake with one newborn strapped against my chest.
By six, my back was aching so badly I could barely bend over.
