From Ruin to Radiance

Madison rose early to stew a hen for Lilah, who could not keep food down due to pregnancy.

She marched to the table and snatched Nora's bowl. "You're not pregnant. Why are you eating?"

Nora lifted a brow. "Is the Stanley house too poor for one more chicken leg?"

She kept eating while Madison's face darkened.

Ethan appeared with Lilah on his arm. His eyes flicked to Nora's bandaged head, but for once he said nothing.

All through the meal he spooned broth, blew on it, and fed Lilah bite by bite.

Nora clenched her fork until her knuckles blanched.

Lilah peeked at her, then whimpered, "Ethan, Miss Payne's stare frightens me. Let me feed myself."

Ethan set the bowl down and frowned. "Nora, if you dislike the sight, get out."

Nora gave a soft laugh. "The process isn't done. You can't order me out of my own house."

Ethan hissed between his teeth, "Shameless. When the paper arrives we'll see what excuse you find."

He returned to feeding Lilah as if no one else existed.

Nora pushed two mouthfuls in, then slammed her fork down and climbed the stairs.

She hurled the door shut, cutting off the scene below.

The wedding portrait on the wall caught her eye. She yanked it down, flung it to the rug, and stamped on Ethan's face. "Ethan, I hate you!"

Tears blurred each blow until she sank, sobbing, to her knees.

The doorknob turned.

Lilah stepped in, surveying the wreckage with widened eyes. "My, my, Lady Payne, what a mess you are."

Nora scrubbed her cheeks. "What do you want?"

Lilah circled her like a cat inspecting prey. "To gloat. Ten years ago you lost to my sister. Nothing has changed."

She offered a pitying smile. "You should really fix your temper. No man will ever love a shrew."

Nora rose, lips curving. "Preen all you like. You're only your sister's shadow."

Lilah's smile snapped off.

Nora pressed on, voice silk and steel. "I pity you. You'll live your whole life as a substitute for Rosalyn."

Lilah staggered back a pace, cheeks draining to chalk.

Suddenly she clutched her belly and sank to the rug, wailing, "Ethan! My stomach—help me!"

Within seconds Ethan burst in, Jake and Madison on his heels.

Lilah lay curled, gasping, "She pushed me, Ethan. Miss Payne pushed me! It hurts so bad..."

Jake rounded on Nora. "How can you be this vicious?"

Madison knelt to shield Lilah's midriff. "Barren and jealous. If my grandchild is harmed I'll hound you to the grave."

Nora stood rod-straight, strength bleeding from her limbs.

She looked to Ethan. His eyes were winter.

He lifted his foot and drove it into her ribs. The kick flung her backward. Her bandaged head cracked against the table edge.

"You'll answer for this," Ethan snarled. He scooped Lilah into his arms and strode away.

Quiet fell, broken only by Nora's ragged breathing.