RA'

. The door creaks open, and I hear the sounds of sweeping and arranging,

your bath is read

I need to scrub him off me. "Thanks," I

er could have imagined that my wedding night would turn out this way. Tears begin to flow down my face, mingling

ask, raising an eyebrow as I notice

you for the party downstairs," the ma

won't be attending

h our sakes..." Her pleading gaze meets min

ke no for an answer, I sigh in

, Mrs. B

nt of the mirror. "Call me Am

ads across her face.

touch of makeup to cover the redness fro

to inspect my reflection, relief washes over me as I see no v

he one he picked out, knowing the whips won't leave marks. There stands Damian, a smile plaste

he room, recognition sparking in my mind-those who turned down our proposals, the comp

realization dawning on me. It all clicks into place;

m, disbelief fl

, wife. It's all business," he repli

y?" I demand, anger risin

d." A smug smile spreads across his fac

ARS

ccustomed to this cruel routine; crying out only seems to please

says, gently taking the v

e entire housework to you,

ce he sent the workers away. Maybe you could speak to him about ge

se that confirm my pregnancy. He couldn't care less about how much work I en

"And soon we will have a little baby crying i

side, the company is doing really well. Soon it can st

er voice softening. "Your husband treats you less th

her, my he

. We've lived together for half a year. I see how he

riendship, I'll tell you: my father means the world to me. Watching the burdens of the company weigh him down hurts more than Damian ever could. Marriage

one rings, shatt

Dr. Fl

nutes ago and is currently undergoing surgery. I w

surges through me. I hang up, dashing fo

Isa asks, sensing the

urgery," I say, my voice barely abov

h you!" Isa cal

ke an hour, sweat pooling on my forehead. When I finally see Dr. Flet

y world. "We did everything we coul

gravity of his words sinks in. I stumble toward the restroom, but in my disorientation

stammer, trying to

tranger asks, concern

ody shaking as the full weight of my loss crashes over me. I have l

in for so long. The tears flow freely, a mix of sorrow and relief, as I surrender to the comforting presence. In that mom

understanding in his eyes-a kindness I haven't felt in wh