Rising from the ash

y. She looked over at the bags of groceries and gifts that lined the passenger seat. Today was her and Ryan's fif

to balance the bags. She placed them on the counter and admired the small setup she had planned: a bouq

"Your dad's going to love t

ng. Ryan literally stormed into the kitchen, his face twisted with rage. He had a

ed, slamming the ph

tled, from his tone.

hat's wrong? This is what's wrong!

ng in bed, apparently naked, with a man she didn't know. The angl

it looks like," she sta

arcasm. "You're going to tell me this is fake? Tha

is photo exists. It's not real!" Soph

l? Do you think I'd believe that? You'r

hed. "Please, Ryan.

tting her off. In his b

caught on the edge of the rug, and she fell, landing hard on the tile

is face, before it was masked again by the anger. Without another wor

cradled her tummy. She panicked; in a whispered to

.. where did it come from? Who wanted to destroy her marriage? And why would Ryan

racing heart amidst the sound of heels clicking against the tile. She turned her head w

an obsession with status. Eleanor's piercing eyes immediately locked onto the photo

r voice icy. "So, it's true. You'

weakly. "I didn't... I

t her face in a smart, razorlike crack. The sting was inst

ou were never good enough for my son. From the moment he brought you into this

ush herself up off the floor. "Please... you have to be

umiliated my son. You think I'll let you ruin his life any further? Divorce him, Sophia. Get out of his life so he

love Ryan. I would never hurt him. A

s tummy. "How are we to even know it's Ryan's? For all we know, it could be that man's child in the photo. You're nothing b

he cradled her belly protectively, as if shielding her unbor

a whispered, her voice brea

son deserves a wife from a family that can elevate his status, not some pathetic litt

to stand, leaning on the counter for support. "

you want, dear. But when Ryan sees the truth, he'll throw you out hims

king once more as she strode out of the kitchen. But

s up knowing what a disgrace their mother is," she

r to stand. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow, but she couldn't afford to crumbl

ou sti

o see Lana, Ryan's childhood friend, standing

disbelief laced in her voice.

he tiles with confidence. She crossed her arms and tilted h

ind behind this photo, aren't you?" she accused, pointing to the picture still ly

Ryan trusts me more than he'll ever trust you. One little

spair. "You're vile, Lana. How could y

better. Someone who's been by his side since the beginning. Someone li

ely cradling her belly. "I'll never

voice dropped to a menacing

, stumbling, and her stomach landed on the sharp edge of the table in the kitchen. A

itchen just in time to catch Sophia as she fell, clut

s if she had been struck. "Ryan!" she cried running to him with tears streaming down

e looked at Sophia on the floor,

," Sophia pleaded in a weak vo

the shoulders, and slammed her head against the cold, hard floor. The im

lled, his voice full of venom. "How dare you la

her head as she reached for him again in desperation

rush. Ryan turned his back on her, his jaw set hard, refusing to even l

d before Sophia lost consciousness, she could

oom. Ryan sat on the edge of his seat, his fingers pressed to his temples. Eleanor paced back and fo

a doctor, looking grave, approached. Ryan

tor said, his voice