But she thought I was lying. She wrenched her hand free, anger flashing across her face.

"You've really disappointed me. There's a limit to how far a lie should go. This is the capital, not some countryside courtyard of yours. One wrong word here can cost you your head."

She flicked her sleeves and turned on her heel.

"It's only barrenness. It won't kill you. Look after yourself."

I watched her walk away, and the last shred of hope inside me died.

I curled into the corner. The feeling below my waist began to fade, replaced by a pain so sharp I could barely breathe.

I would probably never have children again. And the one child I had prayed for day and night turned out to belong to someone else.

I drifted in and out of consciousness through the night. Below my waist, everything had gone numb long ago.

The door burst open with a single kick. Milton Stephens strode in with a handful of guards behind him.

He glanced at me, drenched in blood, then settled himself at the table and poured a cup of tea as though he had all the time in the world.

"Don't blame me. After all, the child in Lola's belly is mine. Can't very well have him calling another man father, can we?"

I braced myself against the wall, barely upright. "So you'd rob me of ever having children again?"

Milton let out a short laugh. "Now that's unfair. Lola was the one who laced the food. Lola was the one who decided you wouldn't keep the child. I merely... mentioned the idea."

I stared at him, nails digging into my palms until I felt skin break.

He rose and walked over to me. "Though, you should count yourself lucky the child isn't yours. Imagine it growing up and calling me 'Father.' How would you stomach that?"

"Bring the tonic over. Make her drink it. Help build up her strength."

The guards pried my jaw open and forced the liquid down my throat. I recognized the taste. Severance Root.

I thrashed, tried to spit it out, but they held me fast, fingers clamped around my face.

Milton crouched in front of me and patted my cheek, slow and deliberate, every touch a humiliation. "Can't have you coveting Lola down the line. Can't have you producing more heirs and stirring up trouble."

"My wedding's in two days. Still need to go try on my Golden Circlet. If you'll excuse me."

As he stood, the jade pendant at his waist swung into view. He made no effort to hide it.