ed up at t

d quietly. "Tell him he can

the door behind her. When her footstep

her and Ronan-something never

her room without permission. He always had Hanosa ask w

as his too. He could have walked in whenever he wanted. But maybe t

ed and walked to the

see her, she would put in a lot

, apply a soft, expensive perfume, styl

er clothes, even the way she smiled in her photos. She had don

ething beautiful, and he would become the m

er how hard she tried, he

she didn't

mple cream-colored satin pajama

r, she glanced at the clock and

tly without another knock. Ronan e

er vanity, fac

of the bed, posture straight, dressed in a white s

lence passed before

a's birthday, right

lied soft

he had failed as a husband, Sarah couldn't deny that Ronan was a good fa

, remembered every detail-her favorite toys, her

, he always made sure t

eneath all the pain, Shenina was her first reason to stay,

hrough the mirror, ex

said suddenly. "It's the rig

applying her night cream, then

?" she ask

aven't given me a son yet.

er, almost silent laugh. She looked at her reflection

ng," she said calmly, "if her f

rrow," Ronan said without emoti

that was all she was to him-a machine for bearing children. But her

nd walked tow

id, not looking back. "I will come to this

dy on the doorknob

lfriend give you a so

seconds before he slowly turned to her

ou are, Sarah,"

ed our family agreeme

said n

n born from her womb-a woman of noble blood meant higher status, greater honor, and

Ronan looked at her again

Stop using your second account to ch

ouldn't

flection in the mirr

realization

she had been watc