April's pov
For the next few days, I took leave from school. My mind was too heavy, too scattered to stand in front of a classroom and pretend everything was fine. I didn’t want my students... my children, to see me like this. Broken. Hollow.
Claire and Watson offered to cover my classes in the meantime, insisting I take the time to rest. I had told them I was unwell, physically sick. It was easier than explaining the truth... easier than unraveling the chaos I was living through.
They kindly said they’d come by to visit, bring me warm food and cheer, but I gently declined. I couldn’t let them see this version of me. I couldn’t let them step into the walls of Blackmount Estate.
More importantly, I didn’t want anyone to know I was married to Alexander Black.
That secret was mine to ca
