ManyWriters

I had just entered the house, clutching the pregnancy report I'd spent five years working towards, when I caught sight of my husband guiding his young female assistant into the nursery.
Holly Winter wrung her hands, bowed her head, and began to weep, intentionally showing the red marks on her neck.
"Alex, I have nowhere to go. Please allow Mr. Thornton to take me in," she begged.
Darrell Thornton grasped her hand, his voice sharp and defensive as he addressed me.
"She's the promising student you supported. She's freshly graduated and can't afford rent. You're a mature woman—don't make a big deal out of helping a young girl."
He gave me a cold look.
"Moreover, you're unable to bear children. We have plenty of spare rooms. What's the harm in letting her stay temporarily?"
I watched silently as he transformed the nursery we had prepared into her bedroom.
With a deep sigh, I made a phone call.
"Mom, is it too late for me to accept your previous conditions and return home?"

Nursery Becomes Mistress's Bedroom

Darrell took a breath, his voice softening slightly.


"We've both made mistakes here. Just admit I'm wrong, alright? Where are you? I'll come get you."


"We can go back to how things were. I'll go with you to the hospital, and we'll start a family."


I dismissed his words with indifference. There's clearly a disconnect in our understanding.


I ended the call and blocked him once more.


Shortly after, Holly messaged me from a minor account she'd added during our school days.


"You old hag, you can't compete with me, so just give up. Let me be frank—


to Darrell, you're nothing but a nuisance, while I'm his precious flower."


"I'm not like you. You couldn't bear children after marrying into the Thornton family.


I'm expecting, two months along. Even if you remain Mrs. Thornton without divorcing,


my child will be the heir to the family fortune!"


"A childless old woman—how do you expect to challenge me for the family wealth?"


9#09