PHE

neered, his eyes clashing with mine, before dart

out of here," he whispered, his voice soft yet laced w

cool night air pressed in, thick with the quiet that only seemed to amplify the tension hanging b

did you fin

y a touch of surprise. "I didn't. I came fo

nce he got into the driver's seat, the silence between us could freeze water. It was as if that warmt

tight. "How could you hurt me like this, Ophelia?" He finally bit out, calm, restrai

away, dissolving into the silence. "I... I'm sorry. I should have told you." My voice barely above a wh

oked away. "So, you just... go along with his

never wanted to hurt you," I whispered, staring hard at him, th

th me. I would have comprehende

zzed, illuminated my father's name on the screen. Dread pooled in my che

, sharp with frustration. "Do you have any idea what y

ing to explain, the fire of frustration welling up behind my eyes. "And when he finally showed up, he delib

u humiliated us, Ophelia! You walked out with another man in his

, and my voice rose tight with the struggle ag

This was your chance.

an invisible hand. One lone tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it, and I swiped it away as fast as it appeared,

m even louder. He extended his arms, stable, pulling me towards him. I leaned on him, te

ushing against my ear. "It's okay.

embrace. Gradually, as though coming out of a spell, my crying lessened. He moved back a little, his t

smile from the corner of his mouth. "C

some tacit understanding that needed no words. Eventually, he pulled over in front of an upscale restau

the tables. I looked down at the menu, and my eyes widened at t

othing tension from his face. "Tonight, let's j

let the food and Owen's presence soothe me, each bite easing off the weight on my shoulders,

is eyes catching and holding mine across the table. The

a." His voice was soft, even, but underlying it

trying to sound compose

I know you're torn between what your father wants and... what we

eyes took my breath away, quite literally, a

y. I never wanted to put you in this position. It's just... my father's control

humb stroking ov

to tell you is that I am t

vell