When he saw me, his brow creased, but he still pulled me to his side.
"This is my wife, Beulah."
That was all he gave me—three words tossed out like an afterthought before he turned back to his guests.
The gala began.
Giles strode onto the stage in high spirits, holding Lucinda's hand.
He picked up the microphone, his voice carrying clear and strong across the hall.
"Thank you all for being here. On this special occasion, I have an important announcement to make."
He glanced down at Lucinda's belly with a look of deep affection.
"Everyone here knows my wife, Beulah. She's always been too afraid of the pain to have children." He let that land, then spread his hands with a generous smile. "And I've always been understanding about it."
"But the Gilbert family must have an heir."
He paused, letting a carefully measured look of regret settle over his face.
"So to fill that void—and to make sure the Gilbert name carries on—I've decided to take the child Lucinda is carrying and raise it as my own. My one and only heir."
The room erupted.
Lucinda leaned into Giles, beaming so wide she could barely contain it, every line of her face broadcasting triumph.