Chapter 83

I felt a stabbing pain in my heart. The young man who vowed to protect me was gone, buried by time. In his place stood someone twisted and unfamiliar. Who was he? At that moment, Mom gently held my hand and said, "Zara, every marriage has its problems. Your father and I have been together for a long time, but heaven knows that we've had more than our share of ugly moments. Sometimes, we women must learn how to look away." I said nothing. Mom continued, "As long as you stay in your place as his wife, Isabel will be nothing more than the mistress in his heart. Their daughter is nothing but an illegitimate child. She will never be acknowledged!" Nothing I said would change the older generation's mindset. Even though I was dead set on leaving Steve, I said, "Mom, I'll think about what you said. But I would like to be alone here for a while." Thinking that I had taken her advice to heart, she smiled and replied, "Alright, I won't disturb you." After she left, I scanned the tiny loft