n the marble countertop, a stark

with joy, but with t

act day it all began to

so ambitious, a rising star in

"golden child" stepsister, wh

had whispered, and t

the road, the blinding headlights, Sera' s

tance, my position, a

ormed life inside me no

escaped me. Reborn.

twisted sense of humor, or perh

be a naive fool from a new money f

son would be the one

bered pain: secure my child' s future, and

walked in, his usually smooth face

ou alright? You've b

to my ears, now sounded l

s into a look of dazed happin

hed, holding up

acticed smile spread across his face.

ous?" he asked, his voic

ling me into an embrac

s is wonderful news! Father wil

al capital, the image of a devoted fam

was a weapon, and I w

resting my head on his chest, play

was a whirlwind

as forming, p

sat in the sunroom, fe

me, bringing me

d, his brow furrowed with that same

as my

there's so much to do, and with the pregnancy, I worry I w

at the mention of hi

just focus on your

ly. "You need someone to look after you, to ensure

a thought had

y personal assistant. She' s Mrs. Gable' s niece, you kn

nt in their schemes, eager for any scrap of favor from the Harrisons. Mrs. Gable,

. "Bridget? She' s

take on some of my duties, help me manage things, and ensure you h

ience, a helper. I was also

ally self-serving. Bridget was pretty, eager to plea

lips internally. Yes, Bridget wo

to Ethan. Let her

atisfying to watch them te

e can handle it, and it would ease your mind... It' s v

, leaning into his touch. "Your

eing set. My re