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Phoebe shook her head. “I could not… You know Mama—she had such high hopes for this marriage…”

“Yes, dearest, but your happiness matters above all. If you are no longer happy with Sinclair, then I do not think Mama and Papa will have any qualms about your estrangement.”

Estrangement.

Phoebe had heard those words before, and she didnotlike it then. She found that she cared even less for it now.

“What if they are disappointed in me?” she whispered hoarsely.

“To be honest, we are far more disappointed in your husband,” Scarlett muttered. “The most charming Wolf, indeed! Ha! He is charming no one with that attitude of his!”

Alice turned towards Phoebe. “But do you think… Well, that the child Miss Delaney is carrying is truly his?”

“At this point, I truly do not care.” Phoebe sniffled. “I did tell him before I left that if he truly believes the child to be his, thenhe must treat him or her well, for he shall not expect heirs fromme.”

Scarlett let out a low whistle. “Harsh, but I applaud you for sticking to your principles.”

“I am still not so sure that the child is his.” Evie frowned. “Are you sure you heard them right?”

“Miss Delaney said she was there to see her baby’s father,” Phoebe replied.

“And so she sought out Ethan?”

“I suppose there is no other explanation as to why she was there.”

“And apparently, I need to have a word with my staff as to how she managed to sneak inside during such an event.” Alice frowned and then sighed. “Colin would be most displeased to hear about this security breach. He has been so adamant about making Blackthorn Estate the safest haven for our child…”

Scarlett grinned and winked at the expectant mother. “Well, how much trouble can a child all swaddled and wrapped up get in?”

“Oh, not much.” Alice grinned. “But once that child starts crawling and walking… well, I am certain your mama can say that it can be quite a lot.”

The redhead stood up indignantly, her hands on her hips. “For your information, I was an absolute angel as a child.”

Evie regarded her with a raised eyebrow. “So, your mischief was acquired?”

They all burst into laughter, and even Phoebe found it in herself to join in the levity.

I can still laugh.As long as I can laugh, I can find a way to live through this.

“Oh, but it is Phoebe who was an absolute angel when she was younger.” Alice smiled at her. “Why, Papa used to joke that he lived in mortal fear that she would one day sprout wings and return to heaven!”

Evie smiled. “Your papa is the sweetest man alive, I swear.”

“That is why you should not be afraid of their disappointment, dearest,” Alice said softly, reaching out to squeeze her younger sister’s hand. “How could you ever? I fear that Papa will only be more disappointed in himself if he fails to protect you and ensure your happiness.”

Phoebe smiled tearfully at her older sister. “Thank you so much, Alice.” She turned to Evie and Scarlett. “To all of you… I truly would not know what to do if I was left on my own.”

“Oh, I am certain you would have managed very well.” The redhead winked at her. “Behind that sweet and polite smile of yours is a woman strong enough to bring a man to his knees.”

“I am not certain you are still talking about my finer qualities,” Phoebe muttered wryly. “But I appreciate your confidence in me, Scar. Truly.”

Alice laughed and placed an arm around her shoulders. “What she means to say is that we are very confident you will make it through all of this, dearest—and if your idiot of a husband fails to see how rare and beautiful a gem you are, then it is all on him.”

They were right—Phoebe had done everything right. She had tried to be the best wife for Ethan while standing firm on her boundaries.

If he failed to see all of that, if he still chose to believe the worst of her… then she really could not do much about it.

As much as it broke her heart to hear him say those awful words, to see him look at her with such suspicion, she knew that none of it determined her worth.