ter

han Smith, came to pick her up. They arrived at his

her husband passionately. "I missed you so much," she remarked b

ted nervously, she clutched t

flush of embarrassment crept over Cadenza'

d, her voice laced with disdain. Nathan immediately cautioned he

passageway, Erin stopped and opened a door. "This is your room. I was too b

f was leaking, and a steel pail sat beneath the broken section, catching the dripping water. It hadn't even been a day, and sh

rted clearing the room, hoping the m

e snapped her from sleep. She tugged Cadenza from her bed.

be fed like a princess? All y

es and slipping on her worn slippers. Her three-month pregnancy was al

chool, and Ivanna left wi

brushing off her aunt's constant nags. It was too

e said, but the girl on

as only nice when Nathan was home. He had no idea what his wife put her through, and Cadenza knew he'd be furious if he found out. Still, she held on to hope. Once her baby was born, she could

ping piles of dirty clothes in front of her. Erin ran a dry-cleaning service for the town, and it seemed like

there were machines for it. But

as a sharp pain shot u

clutched her swollen belly, her hands trembling. "Aunt Erin!" she screamed in panic as

e deaf, you-" She stopped abruptly, her eyes widening when she saw Cadenza's state. "Oh my God!

help her but couldn't lift her. She dashed out of the house to find the

nd the baby is doing well. She was close to having a miscarriage due to

weak," she an

inkillers, which also induce sleep.

" Erin mumbled, visibly rel

she gets complete bed rest," the do

your uncle scolding me for treating yo

, Au

soup," Erin added as

ng. Erin hadn't been pestering her as much, and her cousins had also been keeping their distance. Nath

lained one evening as Erin

coiling from the table. Cadenza had

adenza exclaimed. Erin rushed

nodded, but Cadenza barely heard them. A sharp pain seared through

r?" Ivanna asked, notic

ul moan escaped her lips.

ust broke!"

the girls

giving

ow?" Odess

utch!" Erin snapped, her

ther they helped her. Cadenza began panting, trying to ease the pain. A scream tore from her throat as

enza screamed at the do

" one doctor replied, breaking a swe

with a blood-curdling cry as

urged, clapping encouragingly. She groaned lo

!" she sobbed, collapsing on

e more push and it's done," the doctor reassur

ered her strength and began pushing

e're almost there, Mommy! Give

ed by the loud, continuous crying of the newborn. Caden

up, a nurse gently handed

he nurse said softly.

hut. When the baby briefly opened her eyes, Cadenza immediately noticed the bluene

ecalled a book she'd read for a school project. In it, t

th a smile. "How is th

the room, a rare, sin

g her arms out to collect the baby from Caden

bri

genuinely happy. For the first time, ther