Married by Force

ora

this," Etha

ked, c

u mean?" I

Ethan was dramatic like that. The musicians might start playing our song. The lights could dim.

r hanging above us, the glass of champagne he hadn't touched. His throat bobbed with a hard sw

ith it. He said, slow

ddenly blurred. The orchestra at the far end of the restaurant faded into a d

at?" My vo

udly against the polished marble floor,

his coat pocket,

. He's nervous. He pani

he pulled o

." he sai

key to my ap

d through me. M

trembled. "Ethan, tell me t

dn't

b for "2-carat oval engagement rings." My heart had skipped. I had even practiced sa

ng was supposed t

, my stepmother, and my stepsisters, Ethan's older brother, and even my nosy aunt wh

e question managed to come ou

nly, the sharpness of my voice

lips parted, his e

I love you. But I'

ir sh

see her

table where I hadn't even noticed she was seated. Tonigh

clicked against the marble floor, and before I could piece

th

shirt. With her fingers tangled in his hair, she kissed him.

fr

't push Ca

ulled he

e seconds to draw

whispered, my voice spli

kiss slowly and flipped her

g her fingers with his. "It'

n like this." Ethan wiped his

apped. The words scr

nt. The people. The music. You invited my entire f

me on his face shifted int

se I thought I could

even more. The idea that he wanted to ma

chest "Baby," she murmured, "do

hard. "I'm choos

d, the sound s

sis. He came to me. I didn't even have to tr

sister,"

cted with a faint smile.

ld've know

ady myself. "Look at me." My gaz

d

urt more than any

ve her?" I

wer, and that

tightened

, screeching across the marble floor. I coul

with a man who held my heart with careful hands. But it was all a lie. People turned their heads

g everything real. My chest heaved. My masc

go away from the restaurant, from the eyes, from the betrayal, from the part of me who still believed i

he road, not look

, T

hit me, bright,

rn b

o!