While the Carlon household was enveloped in the warmth and liveliness of Talia's arrival, a very different scene played out in the cold atmosphere of Karl's mansion.
He sat alone, as he so often did these days, staring almost unseeingly at the large framed photo hung prominently on the wall before him.
It was a wedding picture of him and Lavinia caught in a tender embrace as newly professed husband and wife on their happiest day.
The smiles spreading across both their faces seemed so brilliant, full of hope and love and the promise of the future stretching out ahead of them.
Karl's eyes traced every line, every curve of Lavinia's joyful expression, and his heart twisted painfully in his chest.
The thought of losing her, of having her turn her back on him was a waking nightmare he c
