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“You don’t love him,” he argued.
I wouldn’t lie about that, but I had to try to find something positive to say. “Maybe, over time, I’ll learn to love him. With planning this wedding, it wasn’t like I had much time to really get to know him.”
He took my hand in his and squeezed. “You’re supposed to be in love with the man you’re marrying. You shouldn’t have to learn to love him. You should be in love.”
I shrugged, continuing to smile, and reasoned, “Things could be worse. Besides, Patrick seems to be a really nice guy, and it’s clear that he and his family can take care of me. Plus, we’ve all agreed that I will remain in school and finish my degree.”
He nodded. “Yes, I’m grateful for that. But I’m still struggling to be able to walk you down the aisle.”
“Dad, you have to,” I told him. “Everybody is expecting this, and you need to make them believe this is what we all want.”
“But it’s not what I want. I don’t want my nineteen-year-old daughter marrying a twenty-seven-year-old man who knows nothing about her,” he pointed out. “This isn’t the life I wanted for you.”
God, this was eating him alive. I was going to have to be more convincing that this was all going to be okay.
“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a great life,” I reasoned. “It’s not what we would have chosen in a perfect world, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be wonderful.”
His eyes roamed over my face, anguish present in them. “You really are beautiful,” he croaked.
Tears welled in my eyes. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Your family owes you everything.Iowe you everything.”
“No, you don’t. I love all of you, and this is the best way I can think to show it,” I said.
In the back of my mind, I was convinced he believed this would be forever. It was my hope it wouldn’t come to that. He needed to do what needed to be done to finish his project. Given the size, I knew it would take a few years, but in the end, I intended to get out. There were stipulations to the agreement, so I knew I wouldn’t just be able to file for divorce like it was no big deal.
But when the time was right, I’d find a way to save myself from this disaster. For now, I’d stay focused on what was right in front of me. I wouldn’t allow myself to dream of what might come down the line.
I would do this for my family.
I’d walk down the aisle and marry a man I didn’t love to save them from the humiliation and embarrassment that would come their way if I didn’t.
I’d do it to save our home.
I’d do it to protect my sister.
I’d do it to ensure my parents’ future and everything my father had worked for wouldn’t be lost.
It was going to cost me, but for my family, I’d do anything.
And that was the problem with being young and naïve.
I linked my arm through my father’s and urged him to walk me down the aisle, ignoring the nagging voice in the back of my mind telling me to beg him to save me from the nightmare I was about to enter.
TWO
Ellery
Present Day
I made it.
By the time I put my car into park, I let out an immense sigh of relief.
After three hours of driving, it was safe to say I’d endured all of the stress and tension I thought I could handle for a single day.
Nobody had followed me. I’d made sure of that.
