Two Months Later,
The world had settled into a new, somber rhythm. The scandals had faded from the pamphlets, replaced by new gossip, and the name Philip Carson was now only a grim footnote in the city's recent history.
For Delia, however, time had seemed to stop on the day Eric had collapsed. Her life had become a quiet, looping pattern of hope and despair.
She stood in the sunny courtyard of the orphanage, a place that had become a regular sanctuary for her.
"Another donation, Your Grace? And so generous. This is the second time this month," Mrs. Flora said, her voice filled with a gentle, awed gratitude.
Delia offered a small, tired smile. The past two months had etched faint shadows under her eyes and stolen the easy laughter from her lips. "I just want to see the children happy," she replied, her gaze drifting over to a group playing near the water pump. "That's my only wish these days."
