Chapter 68 apple pie

　　Alisha’s POV 　　As Archie's words resounded with unequivocal rejection, a heavy weight settled within my chest. It was a stark reminder of his unwavering stance, one he had never been secretive about. Archie's refusal to entertain the notion of bearing a child with me was like a cold gust of wind, extinguishing any latent hopes I might have harbored. 　　He refused to Mark me, unwilling to let me bear his child, because in his heart, his love was reserved solely for Erma. The truth had always been there, an open secret to me. Even though I had was clear that Archie didn't love me, for some reason, a tinge of sadness and heartache still managed to creep in. 　　Amidst the somber atmosphere, Shaunda's discerning gaze captured our unspoken turmoil. Her contemplative expression hinted at a deeper understanding, an insight that surpassed the surface of our conversation. She furrowed her brows slightly. In her subsequent words, there was a kind of empathy that radiated warmth. "Young ones oft