The Risk of

e with memories of love and laughter, of dreams we once shared. I barely make it through the evening, forced to stand by Noah's side, pretending to be his

m E

? I know it's risky,

ould go wrong. And, of course, I do know what I risk. Noah had made it clear from the beginning that this was a marriage ab

. Even after everything, after all these days, I still have

e repercussions if Noah ever found out. Yet, there's that obstinate hope that perhaps-just pe

nly because it's a proper goodbye, the closing of a c

-

bout to do pressing down on me. My head is screaming to turn back, to remember what's at stake, while my heart's

to find one of Noah's drivers or a face from his inner circle. I'm antsy, every

scene, but my heartbeat is accelerating even more. Then, I see Elvis sitting on a bench, just as he told me. He looks u

ng my own. He rises, takes one faltering step forward,

hisper-weakl

ll the unspoken words hang between us. It's surreal to see hi

me," he admits, a faint

I reply back, managing a small

ins and decisions that have brought us here. "I have been thinking

to meet his eyes. "I had to, Elvis. My father was sick, and... and Noah's

tures relax, eyes filled with understanding. "

es, it's just for appearances. Noah needed so

soft whisper. "Then why are you still w

's situation has improved, that the debt is no longer crushing us. But there's something about this securi

nally admit, my voice barely abo

with emotion. "You know, you don't have to do this. I am going to do what it takes to free you

let me go. He's controlling, possessive. If he fin

his eyes. "I don't care what it takes, Rachel. I've lost you

ee me from this, so I can live with the person my heart desires-Elvi

ice choking. "I don't k

firm. "There's always a way. Just believe m

r, so soft; it pains my heart. I shut my eyes and let myself, for one second, really imagine w

vis; I am too scared of Noa

ful," I say, my voice urge

at I said, Rachel. I'll find a way to break this contra

rrifying me. He leans in, his lips brushing against my forehead in a tender, heartbreaki

to him, to beg him to stay. I watch him walk away, feeling a wave of hope and trepidatio

ompany I kept. The risk was real today, and I couldn't shake that feeling that this was only the beginning-that th

s Elvis has said. He will fight for me, for us. And as I step back i