Layna''s n had worked, and she couldn''t help the little thrill of victory that fluttered in her chest.


    Now that her aunt had lost her only child, Layna would be the only one left for her to love. Surely, her aunt would dote on her again, just like before.


    After losing her grandson, Mrs. Goad was devastated. She had no energy left to care about Juliana''s fate, let alone what losing her womb really meant for her.


    Besides, what was the point of keeping a womb if you couldn''t even protect a baby? Juliana had no family there, and Scott was missing in action. In the end, Mrs. Goad was the only one to sign the surgery papers.


    She didn''t stick around-just signed her name and left, not even waiting for Juliana toe out of surgery.


    When the anesthesia faded and Juliana learned she''d lost her child and her womb -her world came crashing down. She broke apart, sobbing so hard it hurt.


    "My son, my son..."


    She couldn''t ept it, grabbing her head and crying out in despair.


    "Auntie," Layna whispered, soft and gentle, hurrying to her side and wiping away Juliana''s tears. "Don''t cry, Auntie. I''m right here."


    Layna''s own tears began to fall as she squeezed Juliana''s hand, trying to give her a littlefort and warmth.


    "Layna, your brother''s gone. My boy is gone." Juliana was lost to her grief.


    "Auntie, you still have me. I''ll always be your daughter,” Layna said, hugging her tightly. "Don''t cry anymore. The doctor said you need to rest. I tried calling Uncle Wesley, but he didn''t pick up."


    Juliana clung to Layna, her sobs shaking them both.


    It felt cruel—like fate had given her hope, only to snatch it away without mercy.


    She had no idea that the cause of all her suffering was the very girl she was holding onto the sweet, considerate Layna. Layna''s tenderness only made Juliana feel more cared for.


    Losing her son was almost more than Juliana could bear; losing her womb was the final blow that broke herpletely.


    Scott didn''t hear the news untilte that afternoon, when Mrs. Goad called him.


    He bought the next ticket back to Riverdale and rushed home.


    Juliana''s family showed up at the hospital too. When they learned she''d lost both her baby and her womb and that it was Mrs. Go who''d signed the surgical consent-they were furious. They argued with Scott for ages demanding answers and refusing to let it go.


    Scott barely had time to catch his breath after his trip. The Geneva family''s yelling gave him a splitting headache, and Juliana''s constant Weeping just made it worse. He didn''t even need to ask what happened; from all the shouting and crying, he pieced it together pretty quickly.


    Juliana and her family med Mrs. Goad for everything-using her of standing by while Juliana suffered, and then agreeing to the surgery that changed Juliana''s life forever.


    A woman''s womb-how could anyone not understand its importance? Especially in families like theirs, where having a child was everything. Without one, you risked being tossed aside by your inws, your husband, everyone.


    "Enough." Scott finally lost his patience, his voice sharp andmanding, quieting the room for a moment.


    He looked from Geneva to Juliana. "You need to rest. We''ll talk about thister."


    "Wesley..." Juliana''s heart clenched with dread. She reached for him, pleading, "I''m sorry. I couldn''t protect our baby. Wesley, please, don''t leave me.”


    If Scott walked out now, Juliana knew her status in the family was gone for good— her marriage, finished.


    Scott hesitated, looking at his tear-streaked wife. His voice softened. "I just need some air," he said, gently pulling his hand away and heading for the hallway.


    Juliana''s family started to protest, but she stopped them. “Mom, please. All of you, go home. That''s enough."


    Her family left, and Layna was sent home too, leaving Juliana alone in her hospital bed, quietly crying to herself.


    She didn''t know how long shey there, lost in her sadness, before she felt the mattress dip behind her


    Stott hade back silently slipping into bed and wrapping his arms around her.


    That simple act broke through what was left of Juliana''s defenses. She turned, burying herself in Scott''s embrace, and sobbed like she''d never sobbed before.


    Scott didn''t me her. Out in the corridor, he''d already called Mrs. Goad and spoken to the housekeeper; he knew now how everything had happened. Juliana''s fall-it really had just been a terrible, tragic ident.