THE PRICE OF LOYALTY

hat Aaron would be back by her side, but he wasn't. She quickly got dressed and r

to counsel Rose, to calm her down and offer words of reassurance, but Rose was beyond consol

se's head. It was a thought that she knew was crazy, but she could

se said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She stoo

y asked, her voice barely above a whispe

do anything to have a child, even if it mean

there for you and do anything for you, but not this, Rose!" Riley exclaimed,

order me around like a child," Riley sobbed. "After all, you're the one living the dream life. You're the one with th

ged Riley to forgive her. "Riley, please, I'm sorry! I

Riley shouted, her anger and hurt boiling over. "I don

er's antics, had to physically push Rose out of the house. As Rose stumbled out on

them crying and hurting. Rose realized too late that she ha

, her eyes fixed on the closed door, willing Riley to open it and forgive

ave way to despair. She had never felt so alone, so reje

r felt so hurt, so betrayed. She paced back and forth, tryin

seemed impossible to bridge. Rose finally got up and walked away, disappearing into

to each other. Rose was consumed by her own guilt and r

ed to stay out of it. He knew that Rose had crossed a l

w wider, Aaron realized that he had to

seemed irreparable. Riley couldn't shake off the feeling of b

e couldn't believe that her own sister would ask her to sleep with her husband

one and dialing Rose's number. Rose answered o

y above a whisper. "I'm so sorry...

m and resolute. "Rose, I've been thi

of the line, and for a moment, Rile

finally, her voice l

e answering. "I'll sleep with

iley wondered if she had just mad

end of the line. "Riley, are you sure? I do

t she pushed on. "I'm positive, Rose. I'l

n eternity. Riley wondered if Rose had hung u

. Thank you for d

he enormity of what she had just agreed to. She was goin

nd Rose began to make arrang

a web of deceit, one that threatened to consume her very soul