rts to distract her, the emptiness and silence that filled her days were overwhelming. Verona and Jaco

ut his methods only made things worse. He started drinking and gambling again, claiming it was his way of dealing with th

ting: she would never be able to have a child. The news sent Verona into a deep depression, making it hard for her to get o

helpless, watching her husband spiral out of control. She wondered how he could cope with the loss

had finally picked herself up and decided to return to work. She was done wallowing in self-pity and w

mmunity, so everyone knew each other. Kathryn was a stranger. "Excuse me," Kathryn called after Verona. Verona sto

t that Verona couldn't do what women were supposed to do. It wasn't Kathryn's fault th

her feet were swollen, and her bladder was full. Verona's heart went out to Kathr

hryn looked down at her toes, and her fingers locked in front of her underneath her stomac

ing her back wasn't the best idea. Verona's house was closer, and they had an empty ro

Verona asked her if she wanted to talk about why she was in Mexico. Kathryn explained that she was fro

ve birth. Kathryn promised to leave as soon as she did and start over somewhere else.

good with business and record keeping. I worked as a secretary before coming here. I promise you, I won't be a burden. Also, I h

ng and enthusiastic and hopeful. Having her aroun

u live here. You can stay as lo

e was good with numbers and helped Verona's husband, Jacob, manage his finances. Ja

was overjoyed. The babies were identical, with beau

. They're Mexican," Kathryn said with a laugh wh

pointing to the twin

said to th

ck her tears. It was a

. The house was filled with joy and laughter, and Vero

ernoon, she found that Kathryn was gone. She had ta

as a married man, and his family was powerful. Kathryn had left to prot

ful to have been given the gift of a child. She vowed to protect Ja