#Chapter Seven
"Serene!" Delilah said softly. "You've been so active in our little book club lately. I thought with your husband, you would be so busy, but it seems that is not the case."
"I am busy with him," Serene corrected immediately. "But he's been at work."
"Again?" Nora said. "He's always away. One might start to think that he has another woman."
Serene felt the fringes of fury rising up. "He's not cheating. He loves me too much."
"You never know," Francesca said. "One day you're the apple of his eye and the next, he's bending a prostitute over."
"Frank is not like that."
"That's what happened to Denise, didn't you hear? She caught her husband with a prostitute," Mary said.
"Maybe your marriage is not as happy as it seems," Nora said, her eyes twinkling.
"I don't know what to say," Serene laughed nervously. "We're happily married, and always will be."
"Then are you pregnant already?" Jenny asked.
"What? No, not yet," Serene said and the women huffed and put on crooked smiles.
"I see," Jenny said. "It's working, right? That part of him?" And the women laughed.
"Yes, it is!" Serene said.
"Why, Serene," Delilah said. "That was rather loud."
"I mean," she said. "Yes, it is."
"When can we expect a child?" Mary asked. "I'd love to arrange play dates."
"It'll be happening very soon," Serene said.
"I'm sure you're looking forward to producing an heir for Frank," Francesca smiled. "Let's hope it's a son."
"I am," she replied. "It'll be a son."
"I mean, it's been a few months since your marriage and you're not pregnant yet. Is something wrong?"
Serene's mind blanked. "We just want to get to know each other better first."
"Get to know each other?" Delilah laughed. "Didn't that already happen during courtship?"
"You're married to him, how much closer can you guys get?"
"Women, stop hounding her like that," Jenny said and patted Serene's shoulder. "Dear, take your time. We'll be here for you."
Serene nodded. "Thank you."
"You look so beautiful today, Serene," Francesca said. "Where did you get those earrings?"
"Frank gifted them to me."
"How nice! They're gorgeous. I wish my husband gave me gifts every now and then."
Serene smiled. "Thank you." Fanning herself, she felt her nerves go haywire as she pictured the looks of disdain they would have if they ever found out that she was far, so far, from having a pregnancy soon. Oh, why did she lie? Her marriage was not happy and she couldn't imagine having children with Frank. But now, she was trapped. Trapped in her own weaving. Trapped in an unfruitful marriage. She continued fanning herself until the sounds around her died down and her hands moved like lightning. She watched hands reach out to her as looks of surprise crossed their faces. She clawed at her chest and freed her body from her corset, her chest heaving. Within moments, she was on the ground.
And everything turned black.