a's

d immediately, my voice

his eyes wide

id you just say

, Jamison," I repeated

rate I was, how we really needed to do this-but surpri

Kira? Run away? Seriously?" he sai

I rea

s already made the deal-he's marrying me off to him. He's given them his word, Jamison, and once

" he cut in sudde

't do this

I blinke

oat tightened as tears welled up in my eyes. Th

with me?" I asked again,

king my hands in his. His eyes met mine, fille

t's not just any family-it's the Bills. One of the most powerful families in the country. If we run, what

d, my vision bl

nto nothing as I sniffed and wipe

like that? All that we shared?" I asked

spered. "But I thin

of my hands and t

d, Jamison," I said after him, my v

dn't even fight fo

his back s

to believe you really

a long moment befor

now one thing-it's that I do love you. I've always loved you. And even

hind silence and the shattered pie

s streaming down my face, as

nly before I could stop myself-quietly at

ell!!!" I screamed after him as he finally left the house like the coward h

-

ressed I didn't even need a mirror to know how

y,

e Mina standing i

's she do

that happened yesterday, I thought for sure she'd never want to speak to me again. I mean,

xhaustion in my voice as I walked toward her. She

face look like that-wait... don't tell me you've been cr

lk some other time? I'm really not in the

ull of understanding-and some

if we could sort things out between us. But I

e twisted. Before I even realized what I wa

esh wave of tears. "Now that I think about

ed, raising a b

th what you wanted t

hought y

t," I interr

nod and took my hands in hers.

. "Look, I don't want you to distance yourself from me because of it. I know it's always been my dream to ma

ked. "

t steal anything from me-I lost it on my own. So please... stop blaming yoursel

unned. That was the last thin

mile. "You're my sister. I love you. I'l

u're the best," I said, wrapping my arms around her in a tight,

"Everything's gonna be fine. W

ely above a whisper. "Could yo

ooked at me, brows raised in confu

d her into my room, and we sat down together as I told her everything-how I met Jamison

nd nothing-just like the good old days. Eventually

t felt this

, dreading the idea of marrying Mr. Flirt, and worrying about how it would affect me and Jamison. B

after all. And as for Jamison... that

everything going on-but maybe,

-

ER – WED

rraa

to the pillow, trying to block out Min

day. N

I was excited, let alone face a day t

ack into my covers, I felt a tug on

there was a hint of emotion beneath it. "It's your wedding d

es," I mumbled, curling up ti

, she dragged me halfway off the bed-and I yel

tting up with a groan. "That was

ter, holding her stom

ling , "you looked like

last. Her laughter was contagious-and

, then slowly walked toward her. "You do realiz

g-but soon, the teasing stopped getting,

isn't what you dreamed of. And I know you're scared.

bro

n my eyes, then stepped forward and wrapped my arms a

I whispered, my voice shaking

and looked at me, brush

ut who says you can't still find joy in the middle of all this? Besides," she added w

g my forehead gen

. For not hating

voice a whisper. "You're my sister. And

each other in silence, letting the weight o

t, sentimental moment's over. Time to turn you int

e sure my eyes aren't

y pulling me toward the bathroom.

guide me, I rea

the unknown, toward a future I

ad

ow, that