Brendan and Charlene were getting married.

That was despite the fact that she was bearing Brendan’s child. In other words, her pregnancy had done nothing to stop the man from loving another woman.

It was the kind of thing that would elicit disdain and jeers. The only reason why they even showed Deirdre the most basic of decorum was that the father of her child was Brendan himself.

“Oh, I see.” Deirdre exhaled a long breath. She did not feel as shaken as she thought she would be—perhaps she had been anticipating this for that much time. The only thing that she thought of—and so the only that caused any feelings—was what Brendan had said before he left. “You’ve always been in my heart.”

What an absurd joke he had made.

“Congratulations, I guess. And sorry, too, since I’m not yet fit to meet the world right now. I’m going to have to skip your wedding.” She set the card on the table.

Charlene stared at Deirdre’s face as though hoping she could catch a glimpse of jealousy from her go