Silvia struggles to maintain her "pregnant duchess" act in front of the man who knows the truth: they have never even met, let alone married.
The story explores the lengths a person will go to for safety, and the moral gray areas that arise from desperation.
Rather than exposing her immediately, Victor continues to observe Silvia with a mixture of amusement and suspicion. He plays along with her scheme, waiting to see how far she will go to protect her secret.
