Chapter Forty Six

Frederick stood in the center of the living room, the weight of Caroline's announcement still settling in his mind. He watched as Samara left, her pain evident in every step. The silence that followed felt suffocating, broken only by the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Caroline remained, her presence now an uncomfortable reminder of his own mistakes.

Frederick finally turned to face her, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation. "Caroline, you shouldn't have come here. This was not the right time or place."

Caroline's face softened, but there was a defiance in her eyes. "Frederick, I had to. Since you left, you've been avoiding me, and I couldn't wait any longer. I thought you needed to know the truth."

Frederick ran a hand through his hair, trying to compose himself. "The truth? The truth is that everything is falling apart. I don't even know how to begin fixing this."

Caroline stepped closer, her voice calm but insistent. "Frederick, I understand you're upse