n the church

My father' s face was a mask of confusion. The guest

ed my arm. His grip was tight,

harshly, his eyes blazing with a controlle

voice quiet but firm. I tried to pull m

He thought he could manage me, control me, just like he al

bothering you after the ceremony. Don' t do

wer, a choked sob

e streaked with tears. She look

ugh the church. "I told you I could accept it. I told you I would go

d grew louder, now directe

s just a c

unless everyone e

ession softening with pity and guilt. That look was so fam

from his grasp. The sudden

against my skin. I walked over to the edge of the dais

directly

I said, my voice calm.

nd the flowers into

sh you both a lifet

er face a comical picture of shock. The victim act h

undercloud. He was radiating an anger so

t your mind?" he bit out,

him straight in the eye. "I t

d they did, but only as a faint echo

You wanted this, you forced this, and you will ma

For ten years, I had craved his affection, and

the last dregs of old sorrow. I had

see the tears welling in my ey

session, for my manipulations, for the pain I caused him and the pain I caused myself.

ow, just like a younger sist

ack on him, on Sarah, on the shocked gasp

ress trailed behind me, a weigh

t of the church doors and into t

d been holding back finally came. They weren' t tears of sadness or regret, but

ulled out my phone and d

s voice frantic with worry. "Ava!

hick with tears. "I' m okay.

the mess, sweetie. Are yo

t marry him, Dad.

ck, full of nothing but warmth and support. "Okay, sweetie. Okay. You don

as my rock. He had always been my rock

want to study art anymore. I want to go to business school.

filled with surprise a

oice thick with emotion

e curb, I looked out the window