The next morning my ankles were swollen and my back ached. I couldn’t stand too long without feeling light-headed. Every mirror in the mansion reminded me that I was changing fast. My belly wasn’t small anymore, it curved outward proudly, the proof that three little lives were growing inside me.

Breakfast was unbearable. Alessia had taken it upon herself to “host” every morning now, parading around the table in silk robes while Brayden barely touched his food. The doctor’s warning ...