ne. She stared at Ethan's name blinking

hoice. She ha

whispered, her

tone was light, warm, the sound of

... I need to talk to you

slightly. "Okay. Meet me at the ca

eeting his eyes. Ethan's jaw was set, his brow furrowed, but th

ard. "My father... he's

. Ethan's hand froze mid-sip of his c

acked, a mix of anger and sho

ng her lip. "To..

et. Ethan slammed his palm on the w

ed. "Ethan,

floor. "He can't just-he can't decide your life f

spill. "I... I hate it. I hate him! I hat

re not alone in this. I won't let him-no one-take you away from me." His eyes b

s been her safe place. But the fear of her father's wrath, o

hat to do," she whisp

e have to. I don't care what your father says. I don't care who M

er. But deep down, a sliver of doubt had already begun to form. Her father's warning echoed in her m

e it impossible. She loved him-but fear, obligation, and the

ping it tightly. "We'll find a way,

, though the words felt holl

man she was supposed to marry had always been silently watching h

unwanted thought whispered: What i