Arabella frowned. “What’s wrong? Why isn’t Snowball pregnant yet?”
The black dog was chasing the tiny terrier around the room, trying to mount her. Snowball, who was not even a tenth of the beast’s size, could only
snarl and snap in defense. He could have swallowed her whole.
‘What are you waiting for?” Arabella commanded the servants. “Hold her still! I’m getting married in ten days. Snowball must be pregnant by then.
It’s a good omen. It will make us all feel like one big family.”
I walked in just in time to see two footmen holding Snowball down while the huge dog mounted her. She let out a series of pitiful yelps. The size
difference was horrifying. I had to look away.
Arabella sipped her tea, unconcerned. She glanced up at me. “Come. The Viscount is taking me to the lantern festival tonight. You will accompany
me.”
She and the Viscount walked ahead, a perfect couple. I was forced to walk behind with Sterling. I was tense, my entire body rigid.
From her place beside the tall, handsome Viscount, Arabella giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “My lord, look. Don’t Sterling and Aurora
look perfect together? It must be what they call a ‘couple’s resemblance‘.”
The man followed her gaze and gave a cool, condescending nod. “Indeed. Your maids are all quite fine. As their mistress, you should give them a
generous dowry to ensure their standing.”
“Of course, my lord. And Snowball is pregnant! I’m sure she will give Black Wind a litter of puppies just as magnificent as he is…”
Behind them, my face was a stone mask, fighting back the
faint scent of alcohol and cheap perfume clinging to him. It
disgust that churned
I was a smell I knew in my stomach. Standing so close to Sterling, I could smell the
my past life, a scent seared into my very bones. He had just come from a brothel.
My three unborn children had died smelling that same stench.
all too well. It was the smell that accompanied all my suffering in
“Aurora,” Sterling purred, leaning close to my ear, his breath hot and foul. “You see, your mistress has given the Viscount a new belt. Since we are
to be married, shouldn’t you be making something for me with your own hands?”
C
“Please have some self–respect,” I said coldly. “Until we are wed, we are nothing to each other.”
His face darkened. “Don’t push your luck, Aurora,” he hissed. “Your mistress has already given you to me. You have no choice but to marry me. You‘
d best lose that arrogant attitude, or I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget after we’re married.”
I said nothing. I would have my revenge.
21 222 223
As the wedding day approached, Calliope returned from the border with her husband. It had been just over a year since she’d been married off, but she returned with a massive, pregnant belly, carrying a baby girl who was less than a year old. When I saw her, my eyes filled with tears. I could hardly believe this was the same vibrant, kind sister I remembered. Her body was so thin it looked as if a strong wind could snap her in two, but
her belly was monstrously large. Her eyes were empty, devoid of all life.
Doing the math, I realized she must have gotten pregnant again before she had even finished her postpartum recovery from her first child.
But Arabella, blind to her suffering, beamed. “You are so fortunate! Two children in just over a year! If this one is a boy, you’ll have a perfect pair. Sterling’s brother must be overjoyed!” She giggled behind her hand. “This is perfect. You and Aurora can catch up. Your husbands are like brothers,
and you two were like sisters. Soon you’ll be sisters–in–law! I’m almost envious of your good fortune
Chapter 2
and you two were like sisters. Soon you’ll be sisters–in–law! I’m almost envious of your good fortune.”
Calliope forced a smile, her eyes dead.
met with her in private. My throat was tight with emotion. “Calliope… sister… are you alright?”
