"Are you sure about this?" Maximus Anderson asked, his voice cautious, as if he were afraid the dream might shatter if he spoke too loudly.

"Maximus, I’ve reached my limit. I give up. Let’s get a divorce." Rose Harrison closed her eyes, surrendering to the inevitable.

"Rose, you’ve finally come to your senses. Maximus, I can finally be your bride!" Delilah Kelly chimed in, beaming.

*Finally come to my senses, have you? Delilah, I’ve stood in your way for so long—was trading your own child for the title of Mrs. Anderson really worth it? Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and think of the baby you lost?*

*A bride? Maximus, I once longed for that too. I dreamed of being the woman walking down the aisle to you. But I suppose you only ever had eyes for Delilah.*

Rose clenched her fists, biting her lower lip until the sharp sting of pain cleared her head. She steeled herself. *Don't cry, Rose. You have to stay strong.*

She opened her eyes, flicking a glance at the radiant Delilah before turning her gaze to Maximus. "I’ll have the divorce papers drawn up by the time I get home. Maximus, I'll see you in three days."

She turned, unable to hold back the bitterness any longer. Tears traced down her elegant face, sparkling like glass. She couldn't stand the sight of Delilah's joy or the suffocating coldness of Maximus anymore. Every interaction felt like a corrosive acid, eating away at her heart.

Outside the room, Caspian Hughes was waiting. He pulled Rose into a protective embrace, his hands moving with tender precision to wipe away her tears.

"You silly girl," he whispered, his heart aching. "Stop hurting yourself."

Caspian wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Come on. Let me take you somewhere to rest."

Rose nodded in silence. She wouldn't stay a second longer. She was at the breaking point.

Back in the room, Delilah clung tightly to Maximus’s waist, a flush of color returning to her pale, post-surgery face. "Maximus, I finally waited it out, didn't I? I can finally be your bride!" Her voice bubbled over with uncontrollable excitement.

Maximus felt a sliver of doubt, a nagging sensation that something was off. He shook it away. *Forget her. Delilah is the one who has been by my side all along, isn't she?*

He squeezed Delilah’s hand. "That's right. We can finally be together forever." He turned and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Delilah, you'll be my bride soon."

"Mm. Maximus, I’ll take care of my health. I want to be your most beautiful bride," Delilah said, her voice sugary sweet.

"Good girl. Now, lie down. I’ll go check on your medication so we can get you home."

"Good. Martha Berry’s cooking at the estate is the best. Her soups are to die for," Delilah said with a wide, innocent smile.

The door clicked shut, and the room fell into a heavy silence. A cold, serpentine smile curled across Delilah’s lips.

*Rose, you’ve finally admitted defeat. So what if you’re proud? So what if your family name carries weight? You still lost your man, and you lost your child!*

She thought back to the bribe she’d paid to the inmates to ensure Rose was properly "taken care of" while she was locked away. *Rose, how could you ever be worthy of carrying Maximus’s heir?*

Delilah stroked her own belly, a sinister gleam in her eyes. *My little angel, you really helped Mama out, didn't you?*