FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES

t, followed by a series of i

y heart racing. "Bella's at the door

here if you need me. Please, take care of yourself. An

the door handle. "Thank you for liste

. "I hope everything works out okay.

de. Her face was full of worry as she looked me up and down. "Tea, what's going on?" she asked

voice sounding a little too high

od. "You're so cute!" I said, and to her su

little in my arms. "Thank you very much!

I was doing, since it's a women's

d walking down the stairs together

uff, or the bad kind?" she said, b

e tugging at my lips. "I was ta

r eyes lighting up. "I miss

y voice softening. “By the way

e said as we reached the bottom of th

on creeping into my voice. "But I guess we'll fi

m sitting on the couch, her face serious. "The

on the ground. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like t

ppily. "Bye, Mommy! Bye, Althea! I

he went out with a

t of my stomach. "You called for me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady

her voice. "Even though you were a littl

voice apologetic. "I was just ove

ftening. "I understand. Now, let's

I said, my heart p

said, her voice businesslike. "I know you're not happy about

of gratitude. "I really appreciate you understanding how I feel." I immediate

e a warm smile. "Let's call Mr. Cart

ched for her phone and dialed Mr. Carter's

e silence. "Mr. Carter," she said, her voice firm. "My daughter and I have decided that we cannot go through with the arranged m

hest, my palms sweating, as we waited to hear Mr. Carter's reaction. After what felt like an eter

" I shouted, unable to

hat grated on my nerves. "Mother and daugh

ng. "Go ahead, do your worst!" I

We heard footsteps, followed by the sound of a door opening and closing. Then, there was sil

. Carter said, his voice thick with malice. "Sh

her throat. "Please, don't hurt him," s

perate. "I'll do anything, just please don't

his voice chilling my blood. "I'm

t out a choked sob. I felt helpless,

er, pleading for any way to reach out t

a sickening satisfaction in his voice.

in pain. The sounds of the beating grew louder, and I heard my father's desperate cries for help. My mother was sobbing uncontrollably, and

while my father groaned in pain, and then Mr. Carter spoke again. "Good,"

order to save my father. I wanted to scream, to rail against this injustice, but I knew i

have one week to plan the wedding. And one more thing - neither my wife nor I

. I had just agreed to a marriage I didn't want, to save my father from a beating.