Even though he’s not home, I still make my bed.
I wash the dishes.
I shower.
My parents continue to call, but I block them. I’m resolved on this.
I know I can no longer continue down this path mapped out for me. When I met Caleb, a new one was forged, carved from the love he gave me. I don’t know where it leads, but if it ends with him, then I know that’s the one I’ll choose.
The only person I’m in contact with is Emily. I let her know what’s coming. She begs me not to, to reconsider, but I’ve already put it all in motion. She won’t be hurt in this. It will all fall on me.
She will come out as the victim and will still get the money owed. I made sure of it.
If one party breaks the engagement, the other still receives their due.
It is all falling into place.
The more I move toward my goal, the more I know I’m making the right decision. The more I know that this is what I want.
For so long, I felt trapped, like I had no other options, but Caleb was right. I do.
I’ve always had them. And it’s so simple. A clear, concise choice.
The more that I drift from the path they carved out for me, the more I realize the new one is where I’m meant to be.
It will be harder.
But it will be worth it.
It has to be.
The tie I’m wearing is suffocating, but I can still draw breath because he texted me earlier. A simple hello, asking how I’m doing.
I take that. Hoard it in my chest.
I’m still on his mind. He’s still thinking of me. He still cares.
It won’t all be for naught.
“You’re late,” my father says as I step into the house I grew up in. Memories filter through me. None of them good. All of them miserable and cold, just like the swirling marble beneath my feet.
“I know,” I say, squaring my shoulders and forcing my gaze to meet his.
His lips turn down, and his hand reaches out, squeezing my arm a little too tightly.
I don’t show him it hurts. I breathe through the pain and school my face instead.
“You’ve kept the guests waiting. You will pay for this.”
I say nothing, just offer a small nod as his hand unclenches from my screaming muscles.
“Come,” he says, and I follow behind him. The foyer gives way to a large open space with high ceilings and several chandeliers hangingfrom above. The glow they cast is warm and inviting, so unlike the people who live here.
I’ve always hated this space. These parties. I had to attend each one, but I could never take part in them. I was forced to stand silently by my parents’ side, obediently answering questions from the guests about all my accomplishments.
Waiting for them to grow bored with me so I could be dismissed.
I lived for the freedom of being told I could leave.
