#Chapter 17 A Walk Through the Trees

This world that I had been forced into was still beyond my understanding, but I was making an effort every day to learn a little bit more about it. I paid attention to other, while also keeping my head down and ignoring the whispers around me.

I found myself trapped in a web of misunderstandings, my intentions twisted and distorted in the eyes of the triplets. Their perception of me as an ambitious woman, vying for the affection of their father to become their stepmother, only fueled their growing animosity towards me. 

The rumors intensified, and they turned more malicious, beginning to include my assumed associations with other older men. I knew that those rumors had to have come from the brothers.

One Friday afternoon though, I learned the real reason behind Armand’s feelings about me. I had returned home from school before the brothers, a rare occurrence. “Good day, Beryl?” Armand was home early from work as well.

“Hi, I didn’t expect you to be here so early. Sp