Marriage by Right

Mont

yself and hurried down Collins Street in the city, trying not to bump into all

ed. Where did she even hear that from? James and I had been together for nearly four years now, and now

itely

st absurd,

been together for four years in a week's time. If he wanted to, then he woul

s we dodged people. It was cold and wet, the kind of chill that sank deep into your bones. We raced to the tram and board

pe all the noise and pollution that came with living too close to the madness. The world outside se

doubt gnawed at me, just the tiniest sliver o

snapped, her voice rising in irritation. I let out a heavy sigh and sank back into the seat, staring at the darkening str

so much, the good and the bad. I had been the one to tell her about her hopeless crush that she refused to admit was a lost cause, and though she hated me for it at the ti

family didn't lie to

ake off the unease. I wanted to believe in Jame

y fingers gripping my phone. I took

e ar

I

e had when she was on edge. She looked over my shoulder as if she was expecting James's reply to come through immediately. The t

into my hand, glancing at the screen.

ee you ton

James wouldn't do

only we understood. The way he said "love" was enough to melt me every tim

the screen with rapid fury. She muttered something under her breath, and I could feel her

rm with surprising force, pulling me up from my seat. I barely had time to

, struggling to keep my balance

had just reached a stop near the area we lived, but something in

opened, and I tried to pull back, bu

we going? » I demanded, but she

r breath again, and I finally pulled free from her grip. The cold a

a beat when I s

t the stop

near Jame

ood well-this was James's area. His house wasn't anything compared to the massive mansions that lined the street, but it was cozy,

along the sidewalk, her grip tighter now, h

yourself, » she said, her

our argument about his late nights at work. I hadn't thought anything of it at the time. Now, the do

o, Rose? » I whispered, f

lawn, her eyes scanning the front porc

ever happened, but I couldn't. My feet were rooted to the spot, caught betwe

her hand raised in a fist again as if s

t was I thinking? Was I ready to face what

nd the figure standing t

red, barely able

ing before me

eyes told me everyth