a nightmare she could not escape from. The silence surrounding her increased her fear. She could not unde

an unsettling glow, highlighting the d

at if Rachel lost the baby and blamed her? What if James divorced her and le

e had to. But would her quiet, gentle sister-in-law be able to stand up to the powerful forced standing ag

t her ribs. The air grew thick with dread. She was in there for many hours before the door opened. Her hear

ster-in-law at once. As she clung to Annabe

in the eyes. "I'm so sorry, Lila. I won't let

"Why would they lock me up like this

ught of having a child to carry on the family name has all of them wrapped around h

at if James believes her? What if

right now, but deep down, he knows you. I don't believe he t

he footsteps faded away after a minute. "I have to go now," Annabelle

much to help Lila, much more than her own husband. But even as Annabelle cautiously stepped

The food was bland and unappetizing, a far cry from the rich dishes she was used to. Gone were the delectable meals she was accustomed to. Each day felt like eternity, especially wit

ile as a spider's web, broke through the oppressive silence. Her heart raced as the lock clicked and the heavy o

g to her feet. "I've been so

devoid of the love that used to reside there. "Rachel lost the baby

ooshed through her lungs, leaving her grasping for breath. Grief, sharp and unexpected, pierced thro

hat you say, Lila. The fact is, Rachel is n

lf fall. "You have to believe me James. I would ne

my child, Lila. She would never risk her risk her

this rationally for a moment. I would never do something like

let alone live with you," he said, his voice colder than she had ever heard it. He pulled a set of pape

ring with tears. "Divorce? But James, we've been throu

f alimony – enough to survive, not to thrive. I won't fund your lifestyle, not af

were a fresh wave of betrayal, each syllable dripping with c

apers, Lila. You sign these papers,

, impersonal legal language that marked the end of her marriage. She felt

ith tear-filled eyes. "We can work throug

oice unyielding. "We're done. I n

iage was in trouble, but she had never imagined that it would end like this, wit

bear. Lila slumped against the walk, choking on her grief and disbelief. James didn't spare her another glance. He coll