(Serena)I stand under the shower again, my hands braced on the tiled wall, letting the steam fill my lungs. Surely it’s all over now?I want the pain to stay away. The ache in my shoulder and ankle is constant, but it’s the sharp pains in my abdomen that I want to be gone.And the emptiness clawing through my chest.I pull on the robe. I hope it’s done now. I’m just standing here, letting the water drip off me. Hoping all the rest can drip off with it.It can’t.He’s gone.My second baby boy is gone.James I late. Probably caught in traffic. Probably didn’t think about that.I lost him. Alone.I hear the knock on the bathroom door, firm but not urgent. Then his voice.“Serena? I’ve got your clothes. You okay? Sorry I’m late but we can still make the scan.”I unlock the door and pull it open.He takes one look at my face and frowns. “Serena... what’s wrong?”I don’t answer at first. I take the towel and hobble to sit on the edge of the closed toilet lid, legs trembling under me.“Ther
(Savannah)The Whitaker Estate looms in front of me, vines choking the walls, turrets sinking under time.The stained-glass windows catch the afternoon light in fractured colors. Half the greenhouse roof is gone, but something’s still growing under the glass.It always looked like a grand castle when I was a kid. It doesn’t seem so big and grand now, but it is still full of memories.Sitting just beyond the twenty-acre expanse that is Hale Estate, this place was condemned long before Charles and Margot bought the land that became Hale Estate with the centerpiece being Hale Mansion.Now I own it. And all the land around it.This was the place we came all the time. James and I. Forbidden but we’d hide out here all day playing house.When we dreamed we’d be king and queen of the world and do all things they told us we couldn’t do.Like be a cook and a gardener. Not nearly important enough for children of our caliber. No, nothing ordinary for us.So we came here to live out our dreams. Ou
(Margot)The old hedge path behind the west wing is quiet this morning, and far enough from staff routes and cameras to be safe for a real conversation.I’ve walked it for years, mostly to gather my thoughts.Today, I walk it with Savannah.She looks better.A little color in her cheeks, her walk steady, even graceful again.Her hands are tucked into the pockets of her trench coat as we wander the gravel line of the garden’s edge.I made this garden. It’s holds many of my secrets. I miss being here. But Charles says Hale Mansion is for the working CEO of Hale Industries. So I left the home I’d built up over forty years for a condo in the city.An overblown bachelor pad really. An elite mancave I am forced to share with a man who doesn’t care for my feelings. But I don’t care what Charles cares for, frankly. He’s the man he is because of me.He’ll never make me First Lady but he’s heading to be influential in politics. James is the key to our political dynasty. One I do not intend to f
(James)Savannah pauses a second at the nursery doorway before she speaks. “I’m ready to meet him. It’s time.”“Only if you’re sure. Like I said, he won’t remember any of this. You have to do what’s right for you, not what you think is expected.” Savannah looks as scared as I’ve seen her in a long time, maybe ever.“I need to see him. I owe him that. And maybe it’ll help me… feel something different about how he... how he came to be…”“I’m not even sure what she’s saying right now. “Are you sure you’re okay?”Savannah’s eyes cloud. “I’ve been doing better. With everything. The meds are helping. But when I think about him, my son... I think about his father and…”I’m quiet. I let her say whatever she has to say in her own time.Then she adds, so quietly I almost miss it.“He wasn’t conceived with love, James. He wasn’t even conceived with consent.”Everything inside me stills. “What? But… he’s.. your ex-husband… he’s the father?”She meets my eyes. “Yes. It used to be love. But things
Trigger Warning:The following chapter contains sensitive content, including the loss of a pregnancy and scenes of emotional distress. This may be triggering for some readers, particularly those who have experienced similar situations. Please proceed with care, and remember to prioritize your well-being. If needed, take a break or seek support.(Serena)James will be here soon, he said he would be earlier than 9.30am.He’s bringing my phone, something clean to wear after my shower, and then we’ll leave together.I’m supposed to be discharged by nine-thirty and then head straight to Dr. Redmond’s offices for the scan.I already spoke to James briefly, before breakfast. Things felt better. I’ll be glad to get this scan done and know one way or another.But I do need the use the toilet and I’m as sore as hell after that fall. But I know I need to get moving sooner or later. May as well be now.Last night flashes through my mind. Margot’s words. That nudge as she turned, her fake voice ca
(James)I haven’t been able to shake Serena’s words and I feel like I’ve barely slept.She pushed me.She wants me to lose the baby.And I hate that I even thought of checking the security footage before believing her. But I did. Because there is just no way I can even think that my mother would do that.Not so much the harming Serena thing but deliberately trying to get rid of my unborn child? That is next level. No.I’ve watched the security footage three times.It doesn’t prove anything.They are close at the top of the steps, talking. It doesn’t look exactly friendly but it’s always tense between them.Serena stumbles as mother turns to walk away.My mother turns back and reaches for her.The timing… the angle… Nothing show Mother doing anything but trying to grab Serena as she fell.So now I’m about o knock on Savannah’s west wing entrance to ask her about it.Savannah opens the door herself. She’s in track pants and a grey sweater. Her hair is tied back and she looks like the ve