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“But they were at your wedding to Grayson.”
“They don’t see it as legitimate. They believe I should’ve stayed faithful to Boone and waited for him to be released from prison.”
“He’s never getting out.”
“I’m supposed to hope and pray. Never give up, never stop fighting for him.”
“That’s sick.” Ariana’s stomach churned acid.
Bella’s eyes filled with tears. “They’re trying to put me in the same position.”
“Why would they do that?”
“They think they’re following the path to enlightenment,” Rita said.
Ari rubbed her temples. “Don’t they care about your wellbeing?”
“They believe suffering produces righteousness, which is more important than happiness or safety.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Ariana tried to make sense of it. “I’m sorry you’ve both had to endure that. What can I do?”
Bella sniffled. “Don’t tell anyone where I’m staying.”
“Never. In fact, you can come to my house anytime. Damon and I have plenty of room, and your parents would never know to look there.”
“Really?”
“Yes. We’re just across the street. You’re welcome at any hour. If you hear they’re coming to find you at two in the morning, come to our house.”
Bella leaped up and threw her arms around Ariana. “I can’t thank you enough!”
“You shouldn’t have to worry about marrying someone you don’t want to — especially if he’s anything like Boone. That guy is a monster.”
“So is Neil.” Bella flopped back on the couch. “He’s just horrible. When he came over so we could meet, he kept staring at me like he was already ravaging me in his mind. He grabbed my butt and told me he couldn’t wait to get me home so I could wait on him.”
Ariana’s stomach lurched. “With your parents there?”
Bella nodded and looked down at her lap.
“I can’t believe they didn’t say anything!”
“They were just glad I met his approval.” Bella wiped her eyes. “Well, mostly. He said I needed to put on some weight because my chest was lacking.”
Ari’s mouth fell open. No words would come.
Rita rubbed her sister’s back. “Sounds like when I met Boone. Remember him telling me to lose weight before the wedding? He demanded it.”
Ariana could hardly believe her ears. It was like she’d stepped back in time at least a hundred years. How could this type of thing still be going on in this day and age?
Someone’s phone rang.
They all exchanged wide-eyed glances.
Rita grabbed her phone and looked at the screen. Her face paled even more than it already was. “It’s Dad.”
ChapterFive
Ariana pulled Bella across the street and through her front yard, where she quickly unlatched the side gate then rushed to the side entrance. She fumbled with her keys for a moment before unlocking the door. Slamming it shut behind them didn’t feel emphatic enough.
