ile my mind was a razor's edge. I made lasagna, Chloe's favorite,

Chloe was wearing a simple blue dres

whispered into my mind. Maybe Ethan was wron

bout Chloe's classes, her part-time waitressing job. She spoke pas

impressed with you the other day, Chloe. She

ork and looked at them both, my e

ial requirements for your marriage

stantly. Her thought

liating. I can't believe she's bri

han, a flash of

know, I understand these things can be complicated. A $

hat followed

brow furrowed in confusi

bread halfway to his mouth. "Mo

t him marry you unless your parents co-signed a $150,000 loan for some business venture he's star

Her inner voice was no longer a whisper.

the one making demands! He said

HE produce a $150,000 proof of funds to show he was worthy of me. He said your family l

the air between the

lashed across his face. He looked from me

red, forcing a laugh. "It's a mis

tood up, her chair scraping against the floor. "I'm

and disgust. "You lied to me. And you lied to your own mothe

n pleaded, reaching for her h

r hand away. "D

m so sorry, Mrs. Miller. I had no idea. The thi

ly. "And I'm sorry for the

her purse. "

" Ethan yelle

he said, her voice br

front door and sl

. Then he turned on me, hi

he screamed. "You

lied, meeting his glare without flinc

t alone at the dinner table, the half-eaten lasagna growing cold