oria

ifted from laughter to heavy silence. Ethan gave my mom a nod, a signal I w

s she stepped closer, "do you remember two ye

mbered the cold dinners, the whispered arguments behind cl

all of a sudden. I asked you both how, an

"We lied," she whispered. The words hit me like

oan. A very large one. And... we made a deal." I took a

k, suddenly cold. "The man who saved us... w

I stared at them, each second dragging as

e promised him that... if we couldn't repay in full by the deadline, yo

before that day ever came. We had no intention of ever involving you. But time ran ou

that name. "The owner of Sterling Crest Corporati

im." The room tilted, "And

t Sterling like I'm some product to be tr

e were trying to protect everything. The business, ou

e pressure in my chest threateni

ew I was already a mess. And now you're aski

an. He'll treat you well. And... and if it doesn't work, you can ge

play, then walk off stage when it's done? What if he doesn't agree to that? What i

He saw your photo, read your profile. He was... intrigued." I fe

it anymore. Tears poured down my

ees me, loves me for who I am, not because he was promised a br

o choice? Or no backbone? You should've come to me sooner. I would've found a way.

d and stormed toward my room. "Pl

ning my door, "but right now, I

ed with a thun

...........

d, fists clenched around my pillow. Everything I believed about my parents' love,

vision, I reach

second ring. "Tori? What

they want me to marry someone I d

e to cover a debt." "Tell me w

g." Silence. "No way," she finally whispered. "T

"This isn't funny." "It's not. But damn, Tor

't say that yet. Maybe... maybe t

ither. Maybe he's just as trapped." The tho

We'll figure it out. You want out? I'll help you. You go through wit

nd. "Thanks, May." "Always. And hey, if this Scott gu

he world didn't feel so cruel. Until

yet, but I'd like to. Tomorrow. Noon

en, unsure if I was breathing. Maya's

" And just like that, the reality of it came crashing

.........

for love, not for happiness...but to pay a debt, and somet