Angelina was punctual like Big Ben, at eight o'clock she was at the door of Doctor Radcliffe's office. She was apprehensively lying on the gurney while he examined her again. "I've taken all the bottles of tonic," Angelina said in a choked voice, revealing her complaint and concern. "I did everything you recommended." The doctor looked at her with compassion and replied gently, "My dear, I fear for the worst. Perhaps you are infertile." "No," she cried. "It's been almost four years trying to get pregnant," he said. The doctor's words echoed in Angelina's mind like a death sentence, leaving her even more downcast. "That would be a tragedy! James would ask for an annulment of the marriage," she said, with a tone of voice that showed all her sadness and despair at the possibility of not being able to have children. The doctor put his hand on Angelina's shoulder and tried to reassure her, "Don't worry, we'll keep trying. She stood up from the stretcher and pulled herself togethe

Finally the long-awaited day of the ball had arrived. Meg tried to smile, staring at her face in the mirror once more. Not even the beautiful adornment she wore on her head was enough to cheer her up. She didn't feel like going to the ball at all. But Angelina was very adamant that this was what Martha would want her to do. That she should live! To her misfortune, the first person she met at the event was Angelina who was impatiently checking the guest list. "You look nice in your clothes," she said dismissively, "I'll let William know you're here." Meg was about to say that there was no need to warn him, but before she could say anything, William came toward her, a cretinous grin on his face and a cigarette in his fingers. She had always found his behavior arrogant and superior. But lately he has been in good company. “You look very pretty today, Miss Margaret," he said, smiling. “My parents are looking forward to meeting you”. Meg was anxious to find James, sh

James was immersed in a deep melancholy in the living room, enveloped by a dense cloud of cigar smoke, while a bottle of liquor rested beside him. His lips still tasted of the burning kiss he had given Meg, and his mind remained immersed in the confessions they had exchanged. The love they felt for each other was undeniable, intense and true, but this was the tragedy that surrounded them. It was a forbidden love, an impossible love, destined to face innumerable barriers and challenges. Angelina appeared at the door, accompanied by the driver, showing signs of weariness on her countenance. "I wish you would have waited for me," Angelina expressed, revealing a slight hint of disappointment in her voice. He raised the bottle and took another sip before replying, with a slight disdain in his voice, "You know perfectly well how much these social events bother me." His lips pressed against the mouthpiece of the bottle as the bitter liquid trickled down his throat, momentarily bringing

Meg felt like a prisoner, trapped in her own room. It was as if she was afraid to go out, and the thought of facing everyone outside was disheartening. She felt judged by everyone around her, as if she were an immoral woman and a liar. Defeated, her gaze roamed the yellowed walls of the room, finding refuge in the old china dolls that adorned the shelves. As Angelina, James, and Mr. Abraham fervently discussed preparations for the impending wedding, Meg felt increasingly excluded and disregarded. Everyone seemed more concerned with the details of the ceremony than with their own feelings. She could hear them discussing the most convenient date, the ideal place for the wedding, and even where they would live after the ceremony, as if she had no voice or active participation in it all. It was as if her will and her emotions didn't matter. An anger boiled up inside Meg, growing with each passing minute. How dare they ignore her wishes and plans for the future? How could they simply imp

Meg left the Bartons' mansion in a fit of rage and without thinking about the consequences of her actions. Although she felt a momentary relief to slap Wiliam's cynical face, she soon realized that her rash attitude would bring lasting problems, dooming her to have a scheming enemy. As she walked quickly, Mr. Abraham ran after her, calling her name desperately. He reached Meg with his automobiles and urged her to enter. "That is not necessary," Meg replied, still shaken by the situation. "Please allow me to take you home," Mr. Abraham insisted. After a few minutes of deep silence, he broke the ice. "That was an impressive slap," he said, with a mixture of admiration and concern in his voice. Meg remained silent. She knew she couldn't undo what she had already done, but she also had no desire to do so. "Mister Abraham," she said in a shaky voice, fighting back the tears streaming down her face, "Someone needs to believe me. I did not invite William into my room. I never would!