is a j

-

n my mind, like a distant bell tolling, Gabrie

her voice like a soothing lullaby, "That's why you hav

red aloud, "Why here? Why not somewhere else, like Texas or California?" I'd ask as her skill

e me, she came from privilege-her mother owned the biggest salon in town, and her father ran Zion

i," she'd tell me, "What's the point in

e born where we're needed. Some of us are meant to break generational cycles, to rise above our

e, Gaby?" I asked on

Her eyes met mine, hopeful. She believed I h

e," I said without thinki

ieve you will. The

too. "I

ride for a man old enough to be my f

r makeup," Rachel murmured as she wip

was a balm, and for the first time in a while, I felt grateful for their c

me when you least expect it." Gabriella's words e

I stayed behind, unable to go to college because my parents believed it woul

classes, learning so much-except how to

point in crying

at her and thought I saw something in her eyes, something almost like

gown that should've made me feel like a princess-

ng, tastefully decorated for what was supposed t

saw compassion in his eyes. Was he against this too? I quickly pushed the

olic church in town. But as I walked down the a

hen I

, a tall, pale-skinned man with piercing blue eyes awaited me. He lo

lurted out, before

calmly. "Your so

can It be possible? Not even in my wildest dreams have I imagine

the old mayor, or me?"

red as I was. Then I looked back at Aiden, the stran

I said

rough the church. "Malisa Bree, do you take Aiden Evans to be your law

but only for a

ee to be your lawfully wedded wife, to lo

't pause

now kiss t

Aiden lifted my veil, instead of kissing me, he

tears to my eyes. I looked up at him an

could feel something else-compass

my silver lining look

.

do you th