nd freedom the price, who t

n the sound ripping through the sudd

had to be some cruel, elaborate prank, a twisted jok

deniable hum beneath my skin, but not like this. Never like this. Not now, especially not when I could practically tast

knew he did

t be erased with a handshake and a signature. But Chase, that smug, insufferable

st tossed the words out like I was already bought and sold. "She should be grateful for this

I wanted

rs." Alex's father said, as calm and cold as a man finalizing a business deal-not a marriage. He shook

's voice cracked like a whip,

his eyes met mine. There was something there. Not warmth

arn

hre

rom

n, he w

-

ld unraveling. The hou

, almost imperceptible apologetic look, a weak flicker of remorse

k plastered across his face. God, how I hated him. The sheer sigh

resonated, clear and horrifying in my head. "What papers are we signing tomorrow ?, what plan?, in fact what

t you and just do this one thing for your family-for once. You should also be glad s

've sla

was a burning, despe

nto fists, nails bi

rprisingly firm, cut through the tension. "I

onger, eyes cold and unblinking,

and sank into it with a hea

aid gently, gesturing f

ed a deliberate, defiant distance b

at me," he

mmediately

evaporated

lled, hollow. His short blond hair was disheveled. His shoulders slumped as if he'd

y this," he began, his voice cra

ak. I simply

er passed, and Chase took over. I thought he could handle

course. Of course i

en ready." I didn't bother softening the accusation. "He

hing for my hand. "If this marriage doesn't happen... w

ver your head?" My voice broke. "What else h

oked

only ones willing to h

red. My heart ached as

lways pay

he said, still una

hs?" My voice

t need to. The look in his

made no

not

gant-everything I wasn't. The obv

just

hing," he said af

to say," I admitt

e thing. Alex is a good person.

ut that?" My voice w

, b

t me to spend the rest of my life with someone who

said. "You can still go to college. You can still do all the

wondering who thi

The man who told me

y. Something to be leased out.

o go," I s

face with tre

Just remember, we need

were lik

gainst my skin. I sat down on the bench where Mom and I used

ut this?, Would she be disap

y knew t

t have let

t everything circled back to tomorrow. The pape

option. I had no mone

ed forever. I would find a way out even

door-One that led me away from Chase, away from th

want me. Tha

him. And I wa

ave to be en

the papers. And I w

for

for