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.
