Married to a retired playboy

eneath her. Her room, though not extravagant wasn't cramped or shabby. It held the comfortable familiarity of a lived-in space. Posters, a mix of inspirational quotes, and her favorit

ling Vanessa's annoyance. Her phone tossed carelessly on the nightstand, buzzed with an incoming call. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was her

, how are you?" Her voice lacked its usual warmth, still

her replied, oblivious to the und

did you call me today...?" she began,” since you stopped calling be

her cut in, completely missing Vanessa's s

told you countless times, I'm not getting married, not now, not

e shelf above her desk seemed to mock her, a

tch you waste your life over feminism," her mo

again, only if her mom knew what had happened to her, w

my well-being, Mom?" she asked, her

hild," her mother insisted, "and getting m

ight of her mother's expectations. "If you are desperate about marriage," she said finally, her voice

he immense distance that had grown between them. She tossed the phone back onto the nightst

. Just then, the shrill ring of her phone shattered the peaceful silence. Annoyance flickered across her face as she reached

ake care of?" Vanessa fired th

thanks for your concern." Her tone turned serious. "About your date," she began, "hi

lilt. "Yes, Carolyn, Darry

emphasized, "or should I

surprise jolting her awake.

Carolyn re

ith Darryl resurfacing. "No wonder he had the nerve to

olyn murmured

g, "if he thinks he's some kind of hotshot

erjected calmly. "Vani, honey, slow down. Just

layfully. "Alrig

pun with thoughts of revenge, fueled by the revelation about Darryl. As she drifted