of leather, old pa

k dominated the room, polished to a mirror-like shine. Behind it sat her father, his expression unreadable. Her mother stood by the window, arms

dy knew how

door," her

ob

licking echoed loudly in

sal," her mother began, her voice steady.

d slowly. "I

ly. "Regina... I t

shes were damp, her lips trembling-but something about her

continued, her voice breaking. "I don

s temples. "This is not a dec

s terrifying. That he wears a mask. That he d

ping an arm around her shoulders. "Of cour

atched i

ked how *

her then-sharp and assessing.

't a qu

parted in surp

ted. "You've always been stub

kle

nched h

sed," Regina said carefully.

sobs gre

he whispered again

m fell

ht of three pairs of

first. "Regina,

issing a beat. "Resilient. You

ept up Reg

ded. "Unattached. And you don't seem p

eart began

g?" she asked, thou

chair. "We're saying that some

d immediately. "

Regina... please. Just until things calm d

"You want me to marry

egina's hand tightly. "You've

smoothly of

I'm a medical student. I have

ather interrupted coldly.

ed, louder this tim

ssion hardened. "Y

na said, her voice shaking now.

ptly, the chair scrap

"You eat our food. You use our money. You rep

ack. "I study day and night. I work i

her snapped. "Freedom. Choice.

ed at her i

ke me?" s

d icily. "Women who t

e fell

rying had

ina now, her eyes cl

said slowly, "you wil

ammed into R

she wh

uel. "You will, or you will

breath

softly. "Your allowance. Your n

er a choice they kne

"I'm sorry," she murmured, close enough that only R

ooked at

ly understood something s

wasn't

as ru

parents, her voice barel

s immediate. "Then you

m spun

ard, her nails dig

s known she w

lized how disposa

the study, her phone

age from an u

will be prepa

the hallway, he

the study

ast illusion of ch