a

anything I have ever seen before. As soon as I walked

windows. The walls are painted a soft cream color

utiful room

. He looks less than impressed, as

with a thick, plush mattress and silky sheets. I can't help bu

oom and a giant jacuzzi tub that looks inviting. I

hear Vincent walking over to me, and I want to get up and hurl my body out

my shoulder. "I want you to know that I e

, my voice barely m

ntive to my needs." His words are spoken matter-of-factly, but I can

t say he wanted me to

anger him on our wedding nig

" Vincent's voice cut through the silence

or tenderness, but find nothing save for cold detachment.

sleep," he s

lly expects me to

like, shouldn't we

e wait? We are marr

t my chest as panic sets in. This beautiful room feels like a gilded p

to the soft fabric of the bedspread. A

determination. "Vincent, we can't...I barely know you. I think we should wait

would've taken you out on dates, fed you your favorite food, and shared all my interests with you. But that wasn't the case, was it? That o

fear and vulnerability that threatened to consume me. I refuse to be reduced to

"Vincent," I say, my voice steady, "Why did

to a smirk. "Why do

was strange that you did that. There was something

was attracted to you. I figured this wouldn'

man is in

llousness leaving me stunned. So this was my husban

myself. I won't let him dehumanize me, reduce me to nothing more than a p

k you can just treat me like an object?" My voice quivers with a mix of anger a

h surprise at my sudden out

e," I say, my voice steady. "I deserve lov

n—regret? Guilt? It's gone just as quickly as it appeared, re

us. "You have no idea what you got yourself into, do you? I made

to rape me because of so

darkened. "Rape? No.

n't be,"

tell him the deal is off. he can drown in his

fight back tears as I remember how my

father's debts. If he made a deal without considering my happiness or consent,

e. "You have no idea what you're saying, Sarah," he seethes.

further. I am not naive; I am strong-willed and determi

despite the fear that still lingers deep within me. "I won

ainty in his gaze. It's as if he hadn't expected this resistance f

s replaced by a cold resolve. He releases his grip on my ja

he nightstand, calls someone,

ce answers on the ot

t," he says, his ton

me on your...uh...special night. Is ever

m pretending to be a conce

nt before speaking. "I'm afraid

d by an incredulous chuckle from Dad. "Cha

off," Vincent

as he responds, "Vincent, you can'

age annulled tomorrow morning," Vincent says dryly. "And as

"Vincent...you can't do this. Pleas

ear the desperation in my father's voice. A

et me speak to h

s and motions

ly start talking. "Hello, Dad," I

re you doing this?" My father's voice cracks

and betrayal burning within me. "D

ilt. "Sarah, please. Our debts were piling up, and I thought this...arrangement would solv

weight of our shattered relationship. "Well, Dad, just know

e, but I wanted to tr

treets, on your own. I am all you have

and turn away. This i

whether the deal is back on or not

e filled with a mixture of amusement and irritation. I can't help but despise him for the way he

pe away the tears that threaten to spill over, smearing my mascara in the process. It feel

s in my eyes hardens into determination. "Fine," I say, my voice laced with icy hate.

clearly taken aback by my

u to understand just how much I despise you. I want you to know that eve

still barely com

tickling my skin as our lips almost tou