y head. You do not need to go to culinary school to find a husband

whether it will fetch me a suitor or not. My father wants me to be happy, but he mostly wants me t

'm boiling. My hands are shaking, and I can feel adrenaline pulsing through

tepping forward and laying my palms flat on the table. "The fact that you ate a

chatter in the rest of the room has gone quiet, but blood is whirring in my ears, and I c

you for what you are-spineless, cowardly assholes who are so

and I nearly trip. I fall sideways and throw an arm out to catch myself, knocking a nearly full bottle of wine on the table

shirt is splattered like he has been shot before I

in its hold, and I want to rip off my clothes for some relief. I feel like I'm be

but as the physical panic begins to

ill I ever be able to get another chef position? I was only offered this position because of my father, and I doubt he will help me

and I want his support right now. But the support he offered me when a girl tripped me during soccer practice and made me miss the net won't apply here.

ark of hope amidst the names, but there is nothing. I've lost touch with ev

ation where most girls would turn

number, I wouldn't call her. Dad hasn't always been perfect,

r my head, leaning back against

t off,

like I'm supposed to fall in love with him for harassing me on the street, and the fire that filled my veins inside hasn

probably never worked for him before. He smiles back

your bike

"Want a

of you to offer. I'd rather choke and die on that gre

y words don't match the tone. When

bird over my shoulder and

V

erstand why I'm up and moving at all. Someone is pounding on my front door. I

spill wine on the mean Russian man, but the rest of the guests saw it. I'd put the reputation of The Floating Crown at risk, and firing me seemed like th

other than squint. I grab a sweater from the back of the couch, wrap it around myself to cover my bubblegum pink pajama shorts and tank top, and peer through the peep hole.

I see m

my father opens the door from th

thinking, Eve

ad. It is far too early for th

ys been intimidating in another regard. His natural thinness gives his face a gaunt appearance-eyes sunken in, cheeks ho

my dad. But my love for him doesn't m

all, terrified of the black fury in his eyes.

onnect. It feels like I'm outside

long enough to handle what is currently happening, so after a lon

ne on!" my father roars