ly for the ring to reflect the light. "Daniel proposed," I sa

pression darke

es

tightening. "And you thought this wa

it," I snapped.

mother cut in. I

slowly, "do you understand

ng, dad. I'm choosing m

ng a man over

choosin

ilies!" he shot back. "Do you think

. "Daniel is not

d coldly. "Your lac

, trembling. "Maybe... ma

father snapped. Th

r jobs," he continued. "Reputations are destroyed. Everything we've built-g

r a second, I couldn't move. I d

ou. Are you still coming tonight? I thought we could cele

ed in my chest. "I

gently. "Melissa,

ly. "I just-something

sked, concern creeping int

voice inside me ke

l h

d instead. There

ne," Daniel said qu

. "I can't

lis

I intended. Then, softer, hurt slipping th

e somethi

d. "No, you didn

feel like you're

how to tell you I just agreed to

ou later," I

ssa,

ed th

k to my parents, the conversation hadn't

w breath. "So g

"You know she isn't suited f

choosing the eldest daughter. The

m. "You arranged this before I even got here," I said.

not my q

lis

n't even

n you had none." The words hit harder than they probably

ly. "You owe the fa

r voice trembling. "Meli

truth: If I refused to accept, the company would colla

oftened, almost ple

ked a

s with Daniel,"

ened. "You're

ing you,"

once. "If it saves the company..." T

f my finger and held

ley asked the question formally. "Do

in the roo

lowed.

tracts. The speed of it made my head spin. L

d to leave, M

will have dinner

. "That will be whe

I tried to stay calm but my chest tightened as

ey was standing a few

e much of a c

d meet him before sig

formed between

d slightly, almost a

od still. "...

smile touched h

agree to marry Liam..." he said, pausing just long enough to ma

nt dry. "Why

ened slightly. Bu

realized someth

e first time I met the man

ression, it might also be