The room trembled with silence after James’s words. Chloe sat on the edge of the sofa, pale, her fingers twisting her silk robe like a rope she might strangle herself with.

Over the weeks, the chaos surrounding the family had made her unable to take care of herself and the unborn baby. She felt alone, lost, and out of ideas.

“You cheated on me with my brother.” James’s voice was low, cold, but every syllable cut sharper than a blade. “And you thought I wouldn’t find out?”

Her ...