CHAPTER 6 

Meg walked through the Garden, lost in her own thoughts, mulling over the guilt she felt for loving who she shouldn't. When James simply ignored her, Meg didn't have to deal with the complexity of her feelings and the lack of ethics involved, but now he began to be kind and considerate, and Meg didn't know what to do.  

She was so distracted that she didn't notice the presence of James who was watching her intently from behind the bushes.

Suddenly he interrupted her reveries, "I am relieved to see that you have recovered completely." Surprised to find him so early in the morning, Meg smiled nervously, feeling exposed, as if James could read her thoughts. 

He sat on one of the benches in the garden, looking nostalgic as he watched Meg. "It's been so long since I've been here," he said. 

Meg climbed up on the old swing that they used to play on when they were kids and started swinging, feeling the cool breeze on her face.  

"I always come. It was our secret place, remember? We used to spend all afternoon here. You even used to kidnap my dolls and tie them to the top of the tree?" joked Meg. 

"I did that because you used my bike without my permission," James retorted. 

"I was faster than you," Meg said, laughing and getting off the swing set. 

 He approached her with a gentle gesture, sliding his fingers through her rebellious hair that was flying in all directions, fighting bravely against the strong winds that were blowing. Suddenly, as if in a trance, James found himself motionless, unable to look away from the deep, mesmerizing blue eyes that stared at him, holding him in their spell. 

"There are so many memories of us here. I miss that time," he said. 

 Meg smiled sadly, she remembered that back when they were children, she fervently wished that she and James were blood brothers, thus sharing the surname Campbell. Now, however, a strange feeling was born within her, and she felt grateful that they were not related at all. After all, it meant that her feelings for him was m not a betrayal of her family. But deep down Meg felt that it was wrong.

However, the friendly atmosphere between them quickly broke down and James inquired as to why she had awakened so early.   She tried to disguise her anxiety, but she knew that James had noticed her disturbance. "I couldn't sleep," Meg explained, "I feel like this house is no longer my home." There was a pause in the dialogue, and then Meg spoke again, "I'm afraid." 

"This will always be your home," he replied. 

They stood for a few moments in silence, and with each passing second she felt her heart beating faster and faster. 

 He noticed her discomfort and felt an immense urge to hug her and tell her that everything would be all right, but something stopped him.  

Suddenly, Angelina approached them with an angry face. "I need help in the kitchen," she said abruptly, interrupting the moment between the two of them. "What were you two doing in there?" questioned Angelina suspiciously. 

 Meg tried to defend herself, but there was no time, James led Angelina into the house.  She watched with concern as they walked away through the garden. Angelina walked ahead, her shoulders bowed and her head lowered, while James followed closely behind her, his face closed and his eyes fixed on the ground.  

As they reached the living room, James broke the silence. "What happened out there?" he asked, his voice sincere.  

Angelina began to cry and confessed, "James dear, I'm sorry. I thought I was pregnant, but I'm not. I was feeling sick, nauseous, and had all the symptoms, but my period came."  

He looked at her tenderly, knowing how painful that subject was for his wife. "Angelina, it's okay," James tried to reassure her. 

It's not alright. I feel very bad because I can't get pregnant. All my friends who married after me are already mothers, and Bernadeth has two children and is pregnant with the third," Angelina vented, crying even more. 

She explained how her family members constantly pressure her about her childlessness, which makes her feel humiliated and devalued. "Sometimes I feel like I'm good for nothing as a woman," she lamented.  

She closed her eyes, let out a long sigh, and tears flowed silently down her face.  "I am incapable of giving him children."

James tries to calm Angelina down and says, "You don't have to give me children now. We have time, you are young and healthy."  

Meg appears in the doorway of the room looking at her with empathy. 

She approaches Angelina and puts her hand on her shoulder, offering her support and understanding. "I understand how you feel, Angelina. I've been there too, and I know how hard it can be to deal with that pressure and expectation from people. " 

Angelina replied with a harsh tone of voice, "How dare you? I don't need your pity."  

 "Angelina, forgive me. I didn't mean to offend you," Meg said in a soft tone. 

Meg apologized and left, going to the kitchen to help with breakfast, and all the employees looked at her in awe.  

While picking up the eggs from the basket, Meg overheard a low conversation between two female employees that left her heart racing. "Did you hear about what happened to Evans' youngest daughter? Her husband has asked for an annulment of the marriage because she can't have children, the poor thing lives locked in her room. 

Meg tried to disguise the shock she felt at the news, but her hands were shaking as she held her eggs.  

"Stop gossiping about other people's lives. If they hear this, you'll be fired." 

James entered the kitchen interrupting them. 

"Bring a pitcher of hot water for my wife in the bedroom," he ordered.  

"I will," Meg offered. 

Meg entered the room and Angelina stared at her with disdain. "What are you doing here? You think you've won a battle, not the war. Don't try to fool me with your false kindness."  

"Angelina, I only want to help." 

"If you want to help me, marry William and leave me alone." 

"I don't want to get married!" 

"We'll see about that," Angelina spoke in a threatening tone.