A

th

on or did Ethan really just catch

my belly and I can't fully process my thoughts

t you wen

I could have sworn I saw a spark of something in h

I hesitated to

rous, and I realize that since he c

and looks away. "You must be tired from all the

na. Once more, my actions

but I stop myself. I can't say I

t insist on following me home. I wi

esigned.

is more than one set of keys. One is for

those hypnoti

ys perfunctorily. "But you c

, certain I have

ike he is gauging my reaction to this matter.

buy cases for other people? Other people

rd things even I can handle, and I can't handle this. Sean mi

ink I can a

I see a hint of surprise in his expressionless

the keys land in his hand, he i

an says. "It is my res

Then I definitely cannot take it. I have no in

before knowin

married less than an hour ago. Responsibility or not, as

ough he wants to contest that fact, bu

is no need to a

I shouldn't have kissed him. My

d settles on my arm. "Darling, please just acc

t. It is too big, too much. I wan

ancy as her eyes plead with me.

kind eyes that makes me unable to say no. M

ng weird about how easily

on with the sternest expression that is almost t

g to the office on th

ies to argue but Harrie

han. You are married now. Both of you need to get t

her bag. "My driver will take me

to sway her

index finger to

hold in my laughter. It looks so funny to see his

provingly before settling in front of me and

at home

at home,

ng back to her grandson, kissing both o

t and it sinks in that this is the first time sinc

talk about Harriet instead. "I

ee something other than that mask of ca

up into an almost smile.

silence. Then his face smooths out and I am with the cool, offi

and his hand go

tle both of us, my heart r

ting strange, as though he didn't just t

t he thinks I swooned earlier because

in compute it as something else entirely,

ka

as he assists me outside. To the vehic

, hubcaps on the tires that gleam so brightly I almost squint. Not the kind of car someone drives around to do their errands

and his entire mood changes. "I'll be right

oken apology in his. "Something

s anything really wrong with m

s. "Are y

my sister alone as soon as possible, an

d. "

oney. "For a taxi. You should

s too much for cab fare to my sister's pla

say but he has already turned

pocket after much reluc

*

ee my sister but I shouldn't have bothe

ruffly. His thin hair sticks up

step him, but no luck. H

faint look of disgust. "This isn't your house. Yo

me. To think that I once consider

him. "I'm m

the sound of the only voice that

, worry in her eyes. "Wh

lone to talk. The first considerate thing he has done in a while and I am c

ve is because of how unwelcome I feel here? I do

mile awkwardly.

ps open in uni