la'

pacing around an

rough the room, snapping

inst my ribs, frustration boiling inside me. She sat at the edge of my

bed beside her. I grabbed her hand, holding it tightly, my n

e with Raymond-I had fought for him, claimed

g to change," my mother said s

Camile is pregnant, and the results turned out positive! Dad isn't saying anything! Wha

rning my eyes. "I can't l

ing. "Then you have to trust me. Your father

es?" I countered,

d the betrothal? He was disgusted by it," she

wasn't enough. Words weren't enough. I needed

sten to me, Bella. No one-no one-is taking your place. You belo

smile crept onto my lips. I wanted to

my smil

't called me,

s expressi

?" My stomach twisted at the though

it,

udden scream

" she warned, her voice sharp. "Raym

wly, swallow

something wasn'

hadn't

errified me more t

mind was a storm of thoughts, twisting

again? What if my father sided

op it,

vered over the call button for what felt l

line

n

ic

h

, b

l-too casual, as if nothing

ce quieter than I in

plied, his words

"What are y

ed. "Just

ily distracted. But I couldn't le

gripping the sheets beneath

le

lled, my puls

His voice was firm, steady.

reath. That was al

use tomorrow," he continued. "I've already spo

t, frustration. And I liked it. At lea

," he added, "and hopefull

d. "Hop

t crept in. A dark

" I asked, my voice barely abov

nce

dreadfu

h

o choice but to go w

My fingers tighte

cond option?" I asked, my

beat of

, fi

ve to marry

art s