Of course he’d do it like this.
No romance. No asking if I’m ready.
Just… execution.
Theo says my name again, sharper now. “Lucy.”
I open my eyes.
Harper’s watching me with a look I don't understand.
Elliot’s expression is unreadable, not amused, not cold, just…attentive.
Rowan’s gaze is fixed on Julian like he’s waiting to see what kind of man he is.
Caleb looks like he’s about to stand up and say something that will start a war.
And Julian is watching me.
Not impatient.
Not smug.
Just… steady.
Like he’s giving me the choice to walk out.
The room is spinning, but the truth is simple:
I can’t walk out.
Not now.
Not when my mother is in a facility I couldn’t afford on my own and my sister is trying to hold her life together with duct tape and caffeine.
So, I swallow the panic like I’ve swallowed everything else in my life.
And I say, voice quiet and controlled:
“Fine.”
Theo’s face changes instantly.
I close my eyes again, just for a second, and force the words out through clenched teeth:
“Let’s get it over with.”
Silence.
Then the officiant clears his throat gently. “If you’re ready…”
Caleb stands abruptly. “Julian... Outside. Now.”
Julian doesn’t even look at him. He keeps his eyes on me.
I hate that part of me notices that. Hates that part of me registers it as… focus.
The officiant opens the folder, and the words blur together at first.
