Sometimes, when she looks at herself in the mirror, she feels that even if her face remains youthful, her heart has aged beyond measure.

She is only 23, yet it seems she has already experienced hardships that others may never encounter in a lifetime.

"Then what is it that you want?" he asked, his fingers gripping her chin.

She remained silent. What she wanted most was to form a family with the person she loved; she yearned for a family so deeply. Yet he shattered her longing effortlessly.

"Except for the child, whatever you want, I will give it to you," he said, his face lightly brushing against her cheek, seemingly seeking longing, "Mabel, forget about this matter, we will be good, we definitely will be."

How could she possibly forget? Especially after what happened at the tavern with Francine Howards... But talking about these things now would be meaningless.

"What if I insist on divorce?" she said.

His movements suddenly stopped, exuding a piercing coldness. After a while, he slowly raised his body, gazing at her with fierce eyes, "I’ve already told you, the word ’divorce’ should never come out of your mouth. You, Mabel Quinn, are my wife, Kyle Kinston’s, for life—there’s no other option!"

————

Once Kyle Kinston left the bedroom, only Mabel Quinn remained in the spacious room.

It was only then that she let out a long breath, feeling the pain on her shoulder where he had gripped her. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Mabel Quinn tiredly nestled into the sofa. If divorce were possible, it would indeed be the best option. After a divorce, she would choose to live in a small city and have the child; she would raise this child, becoming a competent mother.

But if he refused to divorce, then... she might have no choice but to opt for the second method—leave first. After all, as Alice and Daniel Harris mentioned, her belly would become increasingly noticeable; perhaps in two months, she wouldn’t be able to hide it any longer.

So if action were truly necessary, she would have to carry it out here in Falling City.

At night, Mabel Quinn tried to make herself fall asleep. Now she had to think more about the child in her belly, so she needed to ensure her sleep and diet were adequate to prepare her body for the child’s birth and growth.

The next day, Kyle Kinston behaved almost as if nothing had happened, speaking with her in the same manner and tone as before. But Mr. Conners pulled her aside quietly and asked, "Madam, did something happen between you and the Young Master? He was quite upset yesterday, and he slept in the guest room."

Mr. Conners’ feelings toward the Kinston Family were far beyond those of a servant for the master’s household. He watched Kyle Kinston grow up in the Kinston residence, felt sorry for him losing his mother at a young age, and then his father at seventeen. His loyalty to the Kinston Family, along with a familial sentiment, were all projected onto Kyle Kinston.

Naturally, things other servants dared not ask, Mr. Conners felt comfortable asking Mabel Quinn.

"I brought up divorce with Kyle yesterday," Mabel Quinn didn’t hide from Mr. Conners. She and Kyle would no longer hold any wedding ceremonies, so it wasn’t necessary for Mr. Conners to continue worrying about wedding preparations.