er hands. The television played in the background, but she wasn't paying attent

n, a small part of her had still hoped. Hoped that one day he

ed inside, his movements stiff and deliberate, as though carrying a burden too hea

ned how to b

is throat. "Aria,

t made her uneasy. She turned to face him

bing his palms to

ready

t across from her. His fingers tapped aga

h Sterling yest

Hugh Sterling?

sed. "He made

brow. "What

irst time in a long time, she saw so

t terri

u to marry h

into suffoca

she must have misheard

. "He wants you to m

er lips. "That's funny

m n

ip on the cup tightened as a sic

ld he wa

n in a vegetative state for months. Hugh believes that if he has

to process his words. "So, he wants me t

linched b

again, but the weight in her father's expre

d firmly. "Ab

hand down hi

ter. "Why are we even discussing this? Why would any father in hi

nce sent a chi

ider it, did you?" she asked slo

didn't

th caugh

to the floor. "

g inside

moment, all she could hear

t?" she

his voice thick with emotion. "I had no choice.

rted, but no w

gs from her father. Distan

not

betr

ust sold me off like a commodity? You didn't even

that," Gregory plea

life away without even asking me! Now do yo

of her eyes, but she r

g for her, but she too

out. "I don't w

tune in exchange for this marriage. Enough t

e I become a glorified nursemaid to a man I don't even know? The one where I lose every ounc

ed as if she h

The walls of the room seemed to

ispered, shaking her he

with something unreadable. "If

him, her thr

't just

forci

lt like she was drowning without being inside water. She couldn't make

to you anymore?" she murmured, her voice ho

d. "Aria, you d

her eyes burning with betra

ply, storming t

, ple

gnore

pe before the pieces cut her too deep. She needed space to breat

airs, Gregory's final words echoed t

til tomorrow

mile cross

n't a

ever

e wors

ly what her an

es white. She turns to look back at her fa

. But don't expect me