one month after I gave birth, the doorbell rang—no warning. his mom. his dad. his sister. they scooped up my baby for photos, giggled, and somehow vanished when dishes piled up and the washer beeped. “it’s good for you to get back to chores—helps with baby weight,” his mother smiled, like it was a favor. father-in-law rubbed his knee. sister-in-law was “so busy” working… from my couch. me? i cooked, scrubbed, changed diapers, and said thank you like a machine. i told my husband on day one: “if t