ead too much into it. Thea had a spat with my mother; she wa

her back to the hospital bed. His voice was reso

e, a faint shadow cro

ou've already been married for over a year. If word gets out that you divor

onds before giving a short, final nod

nn's expression lifted

ift to the horizon, where sunlight spilled into the

axing. "Could you take me shopping today? I'm about to step

xpose a small patch of newly shaved scalp. Her voice quivered s

sion, a flicker of sympathy passing through his eyes

*

he weeke

o sink back into sleep, but no matter how she s

, wandering through the house before dis

ed hadn't given her an answer, but she knew in h

ck up her things and

ments sharp with purpose. While she was tidying the dining room,

at all hours, she didn't want

her bag, ready to give it back to Jerre

de her chest loosen slightly-it wa

came through the line. "Did your husband lose his mind

Thea's parents passed, Brielle and her family had been the ones maki

kept any secret

she muttered, "Brielle, I'v

until Brielle's stunned reply slipped out. "Wh

with anticipation, filling her cart with fresh

han a day, she wan

exhaustion pressing down

g through the air. "She really chose the exact

temple. Her voice steadied as she explained the situation. "She's actual

ike fate was giv

back, she concei

egnancy and wanted to share the news with

l family just before h

ea, said in a low voice, "Thea, how ab

and trying on clothes c

d without

she would run into Jerred

ened to be standing in front of a m

orm-fitting before, always thinking it

round the corner, she no longer needed to play the dut

us!" Brielle exclaimed, circling Thea

out to laugh it off and tell Brielle to stop when her gaze l

lack coat, his polished demeanor radi

icate and frail. Illness had drained the color from

led them-bodyguards la

d a bitter pang

g the time she had asked Jer

rriage when Brielle had urged her to u

efusing, his voice firm, dismissing th

his time seemed he

g so hard?" Brielle as

nd followed her line of sight. Her

e run into them." Her tone was edged with mockery, lou

d Jerred turned

second, his expression shifted. In the sleek

inch of her, but he had never expected her to look so radiant

erred's look didn't es

ed it over with a practiced smile as she said to Thea