The scent of roasted turkey filled the Cole mansion, but it couldn't cover the stench of betrayal.
One chair at the dinner table was empty. It belonged to the Cole's daughter in law who had yet again another miscarriage.
Poppy Cole.
Thanksgiving had always been a big deal in the Cole family. Expensive meals. Fine wine. Sparkling silverware. And Poppy would ways serve everyone at this event.
But not this year.
This year, she had just lost her twentieth child. And fourth miscarriage in one year. Her body was still weak, and her chest felt like it was caving in.
Upstairs, she lay in bed, quiet and alone. But the silence had become too loud, and hunger gnawed at her stomach. She just wanted to sneak down and grab something to eat. That's all.
But what she didn't expect… was to hear her husband agreeing to marry someone else.
"I'll marry her," Elwin said, setting down his fork. His voice was cold, calm and distant like always.
Poppy froze behind the wall near the dining room. Her heart thudded in her chest. She watched them all cheer.
Her mother in-law and aunt in law hugging Camela sweetly. Something they've never done to her before.
She sat on the table, smiling like a bride already crowned. Her fingers brushed Elwin's like they belonged there. Her voice was soft, sweet, practiced.
"Thanks, Elwin," she said calmly.
Poppy's knees went weak.
She pressed a hand to the wall to steady herself. She had given this family everything. Her inheritance had paid their debts. She had left behind her dreams so Elwin could study abroad. She cooked, cleaned, smiled, and swallowed every insult.
All for a promise.
All because she loved him.
And now he was giving her away like she was nothing.
The pain in her stomach flared again, but it couldn't touch the pain in her chest.
Her heart was breaking in real time.
As she turned to run away, her foot hit the edge of the doorframe and everyone turned to look at her.
"Poppy?" Linda's voice was clear as her cold gaze landed on her barren daughter in law.
Sharon narrowed her eyes. "You said she could barely stand, Elwin." Sharon is Linda's younger sister. Forever unmarried and bitter.
Elwin turned to look at his wife, face blank. He didn't move. Didn't speak. Didn't help her. All he did was watch her suffer alone.
Poppy tried to steady herself. Her eyes welling up with tears.
Maybe the pain had made her hear wrong. Maybe Elwin hadn't just given her away. Maybe he isn't going to marry Camela. Maybe this was another family dinner with Camela invading again.
"I... I was just hungry," she whispered.
"She seems perfectly fine to me," Sharon snapped.
"Well then," Linda said briskly, "come serve us."
Poppy blinked. "Excuse me?" She could barely lift her legs and this people want her to serve?
"You seem perfectly fine Poppy. And don't forget our family tradition," Linda said, waving her off. "Camela needs to eat well if she's going to give us healthy grandchildren."
"I just..."
"... Had a miscarriage?" Linda cut in coldly. "Yes, we know. It's becoming a routine."
"She can't serve," Elwin said quietly. "She needs rest."
Linda glared at him. "When I was pregnant with you, I served every meal. Did I complain? No. Traditions matter, Elwin. Or do they only matter when they suit you?"
Poppy stepped forward, voice barely above a whisper. "Then maybe Camela should learn them too. Since she's so eager to join the family."
Camela's painted smile faltered. A flicker of something ugly passed behind her eyes.
Linda's face twisted in rage.
"Don't get smart with me, girl. You're lucky we let you sit at this table at all."
"I wasn't trying to sit," Poppy said. "I just wanted something to eat."
"Well, if you won't serve, then you won't eat," Linda snapped. "That's how this family works. No use, no reward."
"You'll be gone soon anyway," Sharon added, sipping her wine. "Let's not pretend."
Poppy stood frozen, heat rising in her chest, but her body cold all over.
"You're a burden, not a wife," Linda said, pointing her knife at her like it was a gavel. "You sit around like a ghost, mourning over children you couldn't keep. You're not even a real woman anymore."
"Mother..." Elwin started.
"No, let her hear it!" Linda barked. "She's had her pity party. Now it's time for truth. All you do is bleed and cry. And you expect us to thank you for that?"
Poppy felt like a thousand daggers were piercing right in her chest at once. It wasn't her fault she had miscarriages. It just happens.
Not even the best doctors in all of Plutonia can find the cause of it. They said her womb is strong enough to hold children, so why then was she having miscarriages?
"Maybe you and Camela can start trying for children tonight Elwin." Linda said to her son then turned to Poppy. "The moment Camela is pregnant, you're out of this family for good."
Poppy turned to her husband, hoping he would at least defend her. Hoping he could at least tell his family that not once has he tried touching her to give her children.
Every pregnancy she's ever had was from the sperm bank. She begs him to donate every month so that she could at least give him a child.
Poppy couldn't breathe.
The walls of the dining room seemed to close in. Her skin felt hot, her throat tight, and for one terrifying second, she thought she might scream.
But she didn't.
She turned and ran.
She didn't even realize she was crying until she made it to the stairs. Her breath came in broken gasps, and she gripped the railing like it could hold her together.
But it couldn't.
.
.
A/N, this book has been with me for a while and now, I'm deciding to let you all have it.
Enjoy.
Don't forget to add book to library and leave a comment.