A Pawn, A Son, A Forced Marriage

Hudso

ering, Connor turned to Ilene, a sickly sweet smile plastered on his face. "This wil

't about to be uprooted again. They had come to our quiet island for a "honeymoon," but I knew the rea

weeping over my small fishing shack-the only h

onnor, darling, it smells like... like a fish market exploded in here. My morning sickness can't take this." Sh

in my stomach. Pregnant. Of course.

e mainland in an hour," I said, my voice sharper

. "Ayla, watch your tone! Ilene is delicate. You always did

he had rewritten history in his mind, painted me as the villain, and Ilene as the perpetual victim. A part of me hoped Ilene would take my a

rea, already taking ownership. He yanked a faded tapestry from the wall, tossing it onto the floor.

n a shelf, a gift from my rescuer, Ethan. He had told me it was to help me sleep, to calm the nightmares. I had never used it, afraid to tamper with the simple scent of the sea t

ssion laced with genuine fear. "Ilene? What's wrong? Are you alright?" He strok

my chest. Somethi

ween heaves, tears streaming down her fac

y?" he whispered, his voice crack

e going to tell you on our actual h

er. I instinctively reached for the sturdy wooden table to steady myself, my k

cht, I was pregnant too. A tiny, fragile life growing inside me. "Connor," I had w

used on his phone. "Really, Ayla? Now? You know how stressed Ilene is.

e needs me," he had said, his voice cold and unwavering. "Her well-being i

ne! You're carrying my future!" A sharp kick to my stomach, a desperate attempt to fend off a flailing, panicked I

g I had been denied. The contrast was a physical blow. I couldn't breathe. I bolted from the sh

air, surprisingly urgent. He caught up to me easily,

ared to us