The Shattered Heart

ary," Mr. Smith said without sparing

silent finality, anticipating everyone's acceptance of

queen, though I question if your appearance suffices for a position of royalty. Cease the pretense that the notion of marrying me lacks allure in your ears. Was it not

et it shan't alter my stance. I hold no inclination to wed someone who per

If not seeking gold, perhaps silver?" Mrs. Gary

nd she evidently won't terminate the pregnancy, let's settle this with money. I shall write you a cheque substan

sate me. That surely brands me as a promiscuous woman, doesn't it? I refuse your money,

ause. "And you, I fear pregnancy may be affecting y

compelled to agree to this union. You ought to realize I'm doing you a favor, as you w

words sank in. "

s and raised you for naught? I needed you to make money" h

n my flushed cheeks. "So, you're coerced into marriage, or

would not let my baby suffer for my foolish mistake. Dylan paced the immense

his steps, he glared at me with tightened fists, ve

belly, prompting me to instinctively shield m

ke I might burst from harbored indignation. I convinced my

whole. Never did I imagine my life would take such a detour. Had I been forewarne

uld take a favorable turn, it

swallow my words too. "When i

lt really lonely in this world. Like I was all by myself and no one understood how I

feeling inside that made me feel disconnected from everything and everyon

ough. I had to deal with this all by myself, and it was really hard.

orld where nobody could see how lost I felt. The weight of the situation was just

eel heavy and empty. It was like I was standing in a room full of people, but there was this invisible wall

r a comforting presence. But in that moment, it was as if I was navigating life's twists and tu

orld on my shoulders, and there was no one there to help lighten the load. I yearned for compan

pain I was going through. It was as if I was lost in a vast, endless sea, trying to