to work. My new job has allowed me to get back on

wisted in my gut. Something was off. Something didn't feel right. He was too rehearsed, too polished. That wasn't the

ch people do-they wrap up their wants in shiny bows, pretend it's all for you

nally choked out, my voi

back," Dad repeated, to

ot regret. Fear. The kind that doesn't come from missing your family but

ed out, my voice rising with every word. "I can see the lies and fear on your face. I might suck in most ar

ot talk to your dad like that!" Mom

ad. And when I'm

off living with him just because he has money! But guess what? I'd rather be poor and honest than rich and miserable!

nd of silence that feels heavy, like

tight I could feel my nails digging into my palms. I didn't even realize I had got

lenched teeth, "then leave. Or-you can tell the truth about why you'r

ed between me and Dad. T

shoulders slumped as if he'd been carrying the weight of t

an see you already know there's more. I really do want this to work. I want us to be a family again

eep enough, he could suck back in the mistake befor

bing the back of his neck. "I made

ll I was expecting, but it cert

g under the weight of his con

used

er, you have an arranged marriage. And you m

dn't even know if my eyes reopened. The words hung in

ed mar

hat? Who even d

lamming into me at once, I couldn't process a single one. I wanted to

too stunned to do anything. My lungs burned for air I couldn't

idn't h

d it f

ssed, stepping forward so

roke, completely at rock bottom. I made a deal-stupid, I know-but it saved my life back t

her voice like ice, arms c

nes you don't say no to. Cassandra was promised to someon

" Mom said, her voice cr

at the time. It was just... I thought I'd never have to actually go throug

hollow. "You expect me to just-what? Walk

His silence was the

my voice shaking. "W

second, I knew I wasn't going

ly. "He's... different. But he has pow

was a piece of property he

s were slipping down my ch

It was the kind of betray

ld me this was o