The Seal

hat mirrored a star-streaked sky. The world seemed too still for a heartbeat. Audrey's breat

r head against his shoul

arents haven't even approved of our union, and you know t

ful mood shifts into a he

nderstand how demanding my parents can be, but that doesn't change the fact that

caught in the tug-of-war

ile returning, "my family's hosting

nd frantic. "Wait... really? A

orrow at noon," he said, brushing

cold-we shoul

sed as they both drove home, hope blooming

dreamt of marrying her childhood sweethe

.

of the mirror, her hands trembling slightly as she adjusted the delicate straps

open, and there stood Gr

entarily speechless. "My mom won't be able to take

laugh. "Thank you for the dress. I had no id

thing for my girl," he said

ross the center console. As they approached the Cons

om childhood. The stunning aesthetic of the house was breathtaking, making it pleasurable for one to walk through it barefoot. The floors gleamed with such brilliance, she felt almost unworthy t

he hadn't eaten all day. Another day lost to work and worry, she thought. Ouch! Another day spent working without ea

h lilies so extravagant it seemed to defy nature. It was beautiful. The glimmering lights cast a soft glow over the met

he is here!" G

yes t

eels clicking like a ticking clock. Her expression froze. Her p

rely meeting Audrey's eyes, as

shifted with his presence, calm, commanding. His eyes found Au

tchen, waiting for her mother to finish her shift. Back then, he'd seemed like a god: unreachable, bene

ass, Let's make a toast. "Tonight is about family, unity, and

her throat, turning the meal into a struggle-each bite a lump of despair. Each polite smile felt like a paper cut. Every glance from the guests-a si

arances. Trying to ensure that everything unfolded seamlessly. But Audrey could see the

er the table. I've come th

crept in. Finally, i

a voice-sharp, furious-rang through the ai

re

Her voice crac

pened to Tasha? What happened to the ladies of Salock State? That girl-she's beneath you! She doesn't belong here. Her mother was your nanny, for crying out loud! "How audaci

ey f

is father. Hoping could say something. He knew that his mother often resorted to te

akingly built our reputation, and it would be beneath us to associate with non-entities. You have to understand that this is the least you can do for us. That's why we sent Audrey and her mother away, but you have chosen to continue seeing her. I'm your father,

ded in her chest, e

igree. She's not even from our world,"

oached her son. "Please, Greg, listen to your father. Let her g

nce was

n-s

ehind him as Bi

ared moments later, car keys in h

he said, h

oft hum of the engine and the familiar melody o

ifting through years of stolen glances, s

ny, raised him until he was all grown. He'd always stood

two souls clinging t

drey found Greg to be a bit bullish and braggish; she tried her best to avoid him, as her mother advised her to do. However, everything changed when Mrs. Melissa figured out how wise and knowledgeable Audrey was and promised to sponsor her education. She relocated to Greg's school to gain a m

hike and suffered severe injuries. This angered Greg's parents, prompting them to send Audrey and her mother aw

he was certain he would choose her over and over again without any regrets. She

to let... go," he

k the silence, but Audrey wa

rs had not

a scream in a cave,