On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 176

Lillian bit her lip, got into her car, and sped away.

Catherine sighed dramatically. “Lillian didn’t use to be like this.”

Willie lowered his hand. “She’s just angry. We were fighting. She was taking it out on you, not me. Don’t worry about it.”

“I know it’s because she hasn’t been able to have a child after all these years of marriage,” Catherine said sympathetically. “It must be hard on her. But is it any easier on you? Don’t you want children of your own? You’re thirty-five. Don’t you get envious when you see other people with their kids? You’re so considerate of her feelings, but she should try to be considerate of yours too.”

Willie sighed. “You’ve hit the nail on the head. I’m miserable, but I can’t complain to my friends the way she does. I just have to bottle it all up.”

Catherine patted his shoulder. “I once heard that sometimes, a man and a woman can both be perfectly healthy, but for some reason, they can’t have a child together. They might even suffer miscarriages. But they could both have children with other partners. Do you think that might be the case with you and Lillian?”

Willie frowned. “Really?”

“My mother was worried about you two not having children after ten years of marriage,” Catherine said, her voice low. “She was afraid to bring it up, so she asked around, and this seems to fit your situation perfectly.”

“Our relationship is otherwise fine,” Willie said. “We can’t get a divorce over this.”

“After ten years together, it’s natural for things to get a little stale,” Catherine mused. “A child can often bring a couple closer. I’ve noticed Lillian has been losing her patience with you. I know you love her, but if things don’t change… maybe you should consider having a child with someone else.”

Unbeknownst to him, Isabella Charles already had the perfect candidate in mind: her own niece, Sarah Charles.

—

Rebecca Jones woke up from a long, alcohol-induced sleep to find Jessica sitting on the sofa, staring into space. “Are you still drunk?”

Jessica turned her head slowly. “I think someone came by last night, but I can’t remember who.”