DESPERATE TIMES

The night dragged unbelievably slowly until dawn settled on the Earth. Emily Peterson woke up with a throbbing headache. She sat up on the bed and leaned back on the bed rest. She glanced over and saw Edmund lying beside her, snoring softly.

It took a moment for everything to come back to her. Edmund had been gone from his office for up to thirty minutes. When he'd returned, he was unusually calm and sullen. She'd been forced to ask what that was about and who Charlotte was but Edmund had said nothing, at least nothing that made sense to her.

Only that she was an aggrieved ex who was facing some financial trouble and needed a place to crash in for a while. Of course, it did not make sense to Emily but judging from the redness of Edmund's eyes, she could tell that this was probably not the best time to push the discussion.

Edmund disappeared for the rest of the day. He gave her his office to work in and informed the cook to serve her lunch and dinner. He reappeared at about 9 pm, and