Chapter 47

Perhaps it was my resolute attitude, or perhaps he considered my pregnancy and didn’t want to upset me too much, but this time he gave in quickly, agreeing to let me stay at my parents’ home. He even made a point of telling my parents to take extra care of me and announced the news of my pregnancy to them. Mom watched him leave, then took my hand and let out a long sigh. "Helen, he seems to genuinely care about you. If things aren’t as bad as you think, maybe you should forgive him." Forgive him? I’ve tried. But the moment I remember how he toyed with me like some kind of demon, my stomach twists with disgust. I can’t stand being near him for even a minute. I stayed at home for a full month. True to his word, he gave me space, never pushing me. Aside from calling me every morning and evening to check in, he only visited occasionally. Meanwhile, rumors swirled outside—that the Carter family had cast me aside. People whispered that a family like theirs was never meant for someone like me