Time Period: A Flashback

Mary's p.o.v

"You are pregnant with a rapist's baby!" Catherine reminds me. The doctor has just told her about

my pregnancy. I bet Catherine's yelling can be heard by people outside my bedroom. "I already

knew I was pregnant. I shared the news with Francis" I notify her. Catherine is so livid that she

stomps her feet. "Make your wife have an abortion" she orders Francis. "It's Mary's body and

choice" Francis argues. "You can't have this baby. It will be bad for the kingdom. I have a friend

who performs abortions" Catherine pressures me. "I will not kill an innocent life in order to satisfy

you" hysterical, I shout. Francis sees I am about to cry and kicks his mom out of the room. Finally

alone with my husband, I break down into tears. A part of myself thinks Catherine is right.


Time Period: The Present Reality

Place: The Royal Garden

Mary's p.o.v

"Are you sure Gabriel committed suicide?" I ask Bash in the garden one lovely Sunday evening. I

know the answer, but I am afraid to accept the truth. I am stuck in the denial stage of the grieving

process. "Nobody murdered Gabriel. Your son killed himself" Bash reconfirms. Ironically, I discover

Gabriel's rifle laying in a pile of lilies. I freeze remembering that horrible night when I lost my son.

Bash unloads the gun before I can use it on myself.