e needing your master bedroom. It's only sensible, given her delicate condition." Andre stood silently beside his mother, his gaze

you all right? You must be exhausted." She fussed over her, smoothing her hair, her hands hov

u've caused enough trouble. Just cooperate. Their loyalty, always conditional, had shifted entirely to

oat. This was my sanctuary, my private space. Now, e

nal belongings from the master bedroom. My clothes, my books, my photographs-all being systematic

's just for a while, Kyra. For appearances. Until thi

fe, my own home, for 'appearances'? Whose appearances are we maintaining, Andre? Yours? Or hers?"

g impatient. "We need a clean, sympathetic story for the general

, my voice barely audible. The ho

g how to spin this further. "And right now, our truth needs to be simple: the grieving candi

s, painting a picture of newfound love for the cameras. Evelyn Grimes took over the household, running it like a military operation, catering to Casey's every whim. Org

on with Bernadette. He was never available. Never there. My adoptive parents, once my only family, seemed to have completely forgotten I existed, absorb

r my dream restaurant. The door was ajar. And there she was. Casey. She was standing in the middle of my space, admiring

e of my copper pots, turning it over in her hands as if it were a toy. "Such lovely things. Imagine, a proper kitchen for preparing nutritious meals for my baby. And perhaps, once thing

urant, my passion, my identity, was next on the chopp

yoga and meditation. And perhaps, later, a nursery. It's so bright and airy." She gazed around

, unadulterated fury. I wanted to tear that smug look from her face. I wanted to scratc

th a force that surprised me. "Kyra! What are you doing?!" he roared, his face contorted w

bing hysterically. "She... she attacked me, Andre! She tried to hu

pt. "How could you, Kyra? Are you completely ma

my face. "I am! And I'm pregnant! With your baby! She wa

ed her back as she continued her fake sobs. In that moment, I knew. I had lost. Completely.

anion. A soft knock on the door broke the silence. Evelyn Grimes, Andre' s mother, entered without waiting for an answer. She wa

. "We need to talk. Your behavior today was.

as provoked! She was in my studio

nly one that matters. Andre's. And the family's. You are making things incredibly difficult." She reac

gaze unwavering. "A generous settlement, considering. It's muc

w?" I asked, my

A fabricated paternity scandal, indeed. It appears you were not as loyal as Andre believed. A one-night stan

old. "That's a

And certainly not with... a potential paternity scandal that could actually be true, despite Andre' s public denial." Her eyes narrowed. "You will sign this.

voice was a choked

s for the best, Kyra. For everyone. No loose ends. No questio

my belly. "I won't! Thi

ns anyway. Andre has powerful connections. Doctors. Hospitals. You

ey wanted to kill my baby. They wanted to force me to abort my own child. The Grimes family, my husband, my