Two The

boyfriend. I peer at his name, feeling my heart twist, but I don't answer. How could I explain any of this, the lie I'm about to li

k up to see an assistant standing at the door. Her face is blank a

, barely abo

he hint of pity in her eyes. I nod slowly and rise to my

ciates seem to pay any attention to my presence. At the front, Mr. Noah waits, looking co

tone as smooth as silk but about as warm

" It even sounds unconvincing to my ears. I look

is the reality that's trying to sink in. My father's hospital bills are paid for, his health no longer in immediate danger-a

d drifts back to my boyfriend. I wonder if he is still calling me, s

the eyebrow. "Huh, Rachel?" The tone is m

o. I'm just... thi

not that you have any choice again; this

his gaze. "Yes. This... t

calculating. "Then say the wor

to speak. "I... I do," I manage to say,

hy. He simply extends his hand, slipping the ring onto my

f any semblance of faltering. "I do," he says,

r, and feel trapped. This little circle of shining metal now b

ally comes to an end. "I now p

hing against my cheek. "Welcome to your new l

burst into tears. "Is it really new," I w

impassive once more. "That

wallow hard. It was my decision; I

o look at him any longer, the coldness in his eyes. Lowering my head and holding my hand tightly, I feel more alone than at any other time