Chapter 14: Will Keep Her Safe
- Geen slammed down the plate he was holding in his hand and let our a heavy sigh, running a hand over his face. “Andrea, I have always sought to protect you. This–this thing with Daren feels like I’m letting you walk into something dangerous Marriage.. it’s not just a solution for problems. It’s supposed to mean something more, But I see you have made your mind up, and
mechant might wish it were otherwise, I will not acand in your way,
With that, Andea delt a knot constrict in her chest. She did understand where her father was coming from, yet she also knew there was no easy way out. “I don’t love him, Dad,” she whispered, her voice no more than a murmur. “But this wedding–it’s the way to safekeep all that safe. It keeps things from falling apart, and if it means I have to lose a little of my life, then
I’d that “
His father’s face softened then, deep and
etching into his eyes. “You shouldn’t have to give up so much, but understand why you feel you must.“,
They stood there for a moment the weight of their circumstance hanging in the air. Her father slightly shook his head and picked up the last dish from the cable, “We’ll talk more later.” sadly. “You should go get some IPIL”
Andrea modded, emotionally spent. She watched as her dad me into the kitchen, then heard herself whisper, “Good night, Dad.”
He gave a small, sad sale. “Good night, Anda
As Andrea went upstairs, hac tather’s words weighed upon her heart. It had long ceased being about marriage, it was what she gave up, what she stepped into, and how that would impinge on everyone dear to her heart. There she was in her room, closing the door upon the quiet, wrapping it around her the blanket.
She sat on the bed, pulled out her phone, and stared at the screen. Daren hadteed rater to ask how things were going about her situation. She knew she needed to answer him, but talking with him was just too much right now. Instead, she flung her phone aside and lay back on the bed, stating up at the coiling.
She thought of her mom sleeping in the next room, ignorant of the lie being falsted on her Andrea wished she could believe it’d be worth it–that she just might, through taking this position, save her family from the mass that otherwise had apparently always been in store for them. The Ettle devil in the back of her head just could not turn off the question if she was wrong Was she going to be the loser in this marriage? Was she too everything–her identity, her values–as long as her family remained together?
The questions whipped through her mind and finally overwhelmed her as she pulled herself to a restless sleep. And in the still of night, Andrea really knew how unsure the direction of
window stirred hat from her dreams, and for a moment she just lay
storming an placed Anda’s window and warmed her face as she Iny sleeping Agenlestir of light from outside there, still caught between sleep and waking. Then, a soft knock came to her doc. Her father’s voice followed, quiet but firm “Andrea. Daren is down.”
Her snapped, and she felt the jolt run through her with the sudden words. She threw herself upright, pushing the hall from hat face. “What?” she mumbled, trying to fathom what words there were.
“He’s waiting for you. You might want to hurry,” he added as an afterthought and moved away.
And with that, Andrea couple of long strides across the room and peered out the window to see Daren’s gleaming car parked outside, with Marcus, his expression impassive as always, landing geard beside it. Aqueasy Hip hit her stomach. Why was Daren here so early? She’d thought she had so much more time to think–to get ready. The day had arrived far sooner than shed anticipated
She washed and then quickly dressed in the descript plain casual dress that was comfortable yet not too mightly. Then she just scared for a moment that reflection in the mirror, her mindracing Senia. She was supposed to be Sonia. Could she do this?
She took a deep breath and started downstairs. The moment she entered the living room, she felt how sense everything was around her. Her father stood before the door, glaring at Daten, who was standing patiently beside the entrance. It felt like the weight of the tension hung in the air, weighing down on Andrea.
“Dad” she called softly, trying to lighten the mood as she approached them.
Daren arned her, calm but I will keep her safe,” he said to her father–the rebelled the trembling within. There was no emotion, cold hard practicalry; yet neither her father bat she was buying
he growled low in his warning–filled voice. Sadd, he turned and headed out of the
Her father’s jaw clenched as he gave Denon hard at Book “If anything happens to her, I’ll blame you,” he growled Toom, leaving Andrea and Dare to privacy
And Andrea watched her father retreat, her heart aching from the tension between them. Yet she knew this was what she had chosen, she must see it through.
“He’ll come around,” she whispered, catching Daren with a small, unsure smile,
Daren nodded to soften ever so slightly intime, perhaps,” he agired. Then in the very next instant he said, “I came to take you out.”
And stared in shock at him. “Out? Why?
you are going to look like Sonia the need to get you changed,” Daren said matter–of–factly eyeing her casual dress.
Andrea frowned, looking down at herself. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” she asked a little bit defensive
Daren shook his head. “It’s OK, but i wouldn’t wear that. She had a very particular style, and you’re going to convince the Maswells, you need to start embracing in ” Andre fed at the toll of the task ahead of her. Guess I should go change, then.
fur Daten reached our a detaining hand. “No need you’ll do quite well as you are today. We’ve just commenced Come on, he said, beckoning that she should follow him.
She heated for moment and looked back in the direction her father disappeared from her view. To bowen family ties and the choco of path, in that cerosolute exhalation of air, she nodded and told Daren out in this alien world she was about to stop into
He opens the car door for her; sliding mode, she couldn’t help but wonder just how deep this transformation would be
The only sound on the drive for the soft humming of the car engine, was the sound of weaving its way through the city. Andros was seated in the back seat, looking out the window, but her mind was consumed by what lay ahead. The weight of her plan had begun to settle onto her shoulders, and yet she knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that there was no turning back She had chosen this one hersell; now he needed to inflow it.
