Her mother’s hand fell Bark to the blanket, and she took a slow breath, seminggather her strength.
“I’m alright, my kar. I have good days and balenes, ed today’s a good one because you’ve bee that’s all that mbuttons.”
things. I’m in worried about you.”
(the woach, Risk ea’s chest tightened the wanted to give a conseling reply, to reassure her mother, but couldn’t find the words. Ruching mut, she wrapped her hand around her mother’s and squadsatt, hec touch speaking to her when her words could not
Her mom’s face softened, the pain medication seeming to sharpen het wits, and letting her see what Andrea had been carrying “You’ve been so strong im me, Andea. Thope you know how
Andrea bit hei tip again, fighting off new tears. “I just want you to get better, Mom. That’s all I want.”
smiling wistfully again, this time sarder, her mother said, “I know. But whatever happens, I want you to promise me something ”
Andhra’m heart clenched “What is 117
“Promise me you won’t get lost in all this. Whatever chances you must make do it for you. Let nobody else decide your way. Not even because of me.” Andrea nodded, swallowing hard. “T promise,” she whispered, though it was heavier to hear from her mother than she thought it wouldbe.
The eyelids fluttered closed as it the mere comessation had sapped what little energy she’d had. But she kept a firm grasp on Andrea’s hand, squeezing once more before she let herself rest again. “I love you, my beautiful gaul,” she whispered softly.
“I love you too, Mom,” Andrea turned in a whispered breath, het heart breaking as the watched her mother slip back into an easy sleep.
She sat there a little langer, observing her mother lathe, the burden of her promise and the turbolence of days to come weighing strong upon her shoulder.
Andrea sat next to her mother, lost in thought, until her eyes finally fell upon her father, standing at the door. His face was stiff, his arms folded against his chest, as he Frame She’s a strong woman, you know,” he said, low and even, his voice thick with emotion.
Andea came to hun, burrowing her brow “And with that either, you still don’t want me with Baren? The words came out sharper than she had meant; frustration was bubbling just below
Her father merely granted in return, he wasn’t having any debate about this. He turned and started to walk out of the room. Andrea immediately rose, shutting the dox solely behind her as the followed him into the hallway. “Dad, wait,” she called after him. He stopped but didn’t turn around
“Please post listen,” she pleaded running up to han. ” know that you don’t like Daren, but can’t you just try to see why I am doing this?
Her father blew out a heavy sigh and turned at last to dare her. Weary, sadeyes met hers. “Marriage isn’t something you just do,” he said, low but firm. “‘s a sacred thing, something between two people who love each other. But you and Daen there’s no love there. What kind of life is that?”
With that, Andrea’s heart clenched as bar throat tightened at the rising tension between them “know,” she conceded. “But it’s not about love, Dad. I’m not looking for a fairy tale. I married
a monster if that what it means for Mom to be line ”
signing up for
Her father’s eyes flashed dark as his face hardened on her words. “Don’t talk like that. You don’t understand what you’re sign
Come on, Daif,” Andrea urged, taking a sep closer. “Mom deserves a chance, and I know you hate yourself for not trying enough–for feeling like you couldn’t do more. But I’m ready to help. Let me help
He shook his head, frustration growing in his face. “Help? By what? Sacrificing your life? You think that’s going to save your mother?
I’m not sacrificing anything.” Andrea snapped, raising her voce a latte, desperate for him to see things from her perspective. “It’s a harmless marriage, without strings, Dad. It’s business- nothing mor And I’m done pretending like I don’t low what I’m doing”
Softened, her father’s face still contended with a storm of couflat in his eyes. He rubbedahe back of his neck, wrestling clearly with the idea of beating his daughter marry someone like Bures. “You think this is the anwer, playing a part in his game?
And Andrea stepped another pare forward, a softening in her to “don’t know if that’s the answer, Dad. But it’s the only thing I can do right now. And if there’s over the tiniest chance it would help. Thave to take it for Mom”.
His father’s eyes fell as the weight of her words settled in He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing amet. He simply nodded, though it was still an uneasy settlement between them “I don’t like hesaidater a very long moment of silence. “But I won’t stop you.”
Beleef and sadness so
– swirled together in a messy cocktail as Andrea’s chest squeezed. “Thank you,” she whispered, knowing full well this was about all the acceptance she would get from him. Without another word, her father pivoted and disappeared down the hall, leaving Andrea to stand in the dimly lit corridor alone. She leaned back against the wall, the weight of the decision inner again settling beary upon her shoulders.
Imperfect, maybe, but a beginning nonetheless,
Ande hat cemained in the hathway for one long, fraught moment, her mind in a whirl as her lather vanished into the dark cesses of the house, She let her head fall back against the wa leiring ber eyes slip shut for a brief second or two to collect her composure. The conversation had taken mate from her than she’d anticipated, but even though her dad hadn’t gone fully
mpliant with her decision, she could feel the slight crack in his opposition
She took a deep breath and pushed herself off the wall, heading into her room. The weight of her decisions was heavy with silence in the house. Entering her room, she fell onto her bed with her caring mind of all that had happened.
She had just promised herself to a man she didnot love, barely even trusted it was as if she stepped into a game whose rules weren’t well known, and the outcome likely to be m despicable than imagined But the image of her mother–trail and fighting for her life was the long drive that kept pushing her on
Hea ulent world was finally disturbed when her cell phone vibrated on the nightstand. She glanced down toward the screen, her eyes locked onto bara’s name flashing across ILA KOT twisted in her stomach, and she weighed for a moment the merits of picking it up
“Andrea,” his voice was smooth, so confident, an assurance with which she wasn’t quite ready to deal.
11 Lalit you have spoken to your father?”
he let out a deep liowath and passed a hand through her hair. “Yes, he does, and he’s Wall, he’s not happy about it, but he won’t stop me
There was a moment’s silence on the other end before Daten spoke again, his voice softer. I expected as much. But you’ve chosen. That’s all that matters
Andrea bit her lip, the weight of the commitment hanging between them, “have,” she replied, though her voice didn’t bear the ring of conviction she had wished for “But Daten. I need
you to understand something. This is for mother, and only for hat. I’m not doing this for you on your plans with the Marwells***
“I understand,” Den said, though the edge based beneath his voice had and wondering if he really did. “We’re in it for different reasons, but our goals align. That’s enough.”
