na's

ept up

anc

n?

ran through the cr

ile-and walked to me. Each step landed

houlders. His arm came around me-firm and unyielding.

relationship," he said cooll

the parted sea of p

ed the car, h

en us felt sudd

locked

ry Cash said from

pped

n said. "Make sure she

ke that, he

know what he was planning

," Cash cal

into the

er, the car

_

arrived at home.

had seen Hardin c

bled as I st

as unnatura

ng the news; Mother

htened in

move when my

fr

she asked, rushing toward

..

a tight embrace bef

s dangerous to be alone right now. I was terr

ears against

to wipe her cheeks. But the look in

ena

voice shake, she would break and I c

ad. "He refuses

n't seen th

t twisted toget

father say

I whispered, emb

ld me

_

efused

ing from si

felt unbe

? Had the announcement solve

a soft knock tappe

t of bed and

stood o

ip as our

e in?" he

helped him

" I said quietly. "Peop

d me int

ured. "The video has been taken

e broke

pretends to be strong for my sake. They're ashamed of m

ugged me

Just give th

_

I found my father

sion. No

sil

g, Father,"

he replied witho

allo

the

and began

orbell

sto

t it," I

me and open

ath st

stood

lm

ar

ead

as he

ouldn't spa

see my father'

e not welcome here anymore, Mr. Kings," he said.

n sig

nt to be he

you here?" my

ngs right,"

, my father's hand s

oat we

t move. He d

trust-and our friends

abbed his arm as he tri

ease..." I

ingers. For a moment, I thought he woul

e never shifting toward me. Instead, he step

quickly shut the door a

this," my father

id to me and my family, you still ha

is hands insi

end," he said calmly. "I'

es wi

now? Son-in-law? H

a dry laugh that

ryone else by your fake fiancée news? I was your friend for years-I know you. No woman

father was aware of Hardin's announce

those slaps," Ha

ther

't have ano

filled t

'm here to protect what is left of our reputation

t my

This was h

added calmly. "But thi

r's jaw

apped. "I'll protect my family

it jacket, and placed a sl

raised his

ngement," he said. "My lawy

m felt

d," he added quietly. "Y

and thrust it back toward Hardin. "We don't

to the door and

ern, Mr. Kings. You m

ardin walked out, gripp

ched

ed, echoing th

hard that I gasped, the plas

the

My mother

id stiffly before

er foll

sank onto

d reputation were being

l all of

e answ

_

when I heard my father pleading with someone o

gainst the

a family matter and I'll take care of i

ess laced

se, s

on ended

he smashed it against the wa

, heart

round, and

alk away, I rush

d. "I'll make everything right.

silence, his arms

fine,

the warmth of his e

would mark a new

_

mployee stared at me as I

. Kings'

d they

so lu

ored

tch things collapse. I ref

ight into Har

ed up,

aid coldly. "Ask for per

led s

walked forward and sat

shed agains

w tigh

ifted his chin, forci

thed he

heart race, despite the c

my fiancée's office?" I as

e?" he

ser and pressed a

ispered. "

ze sha

ept your proposa

d his

t married

n us turned da

burned