Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride

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lashlight, no doubt waiting for me. "Seriously? What am I

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ed around her heart. She despised the idea of her children working or studying in places wher

nment where children-especial

ed husband, she and several other children might have vanished forever. She had sworn never to let her children stray far from her

" she sighed anxiously, glancing toward the direction of the eaterie

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other curse and call me a silly girl, then qu

dn't stop her from scolding me. "You silly girl, what took

make it sound like I'm a kid

urgently, ushering me inside the house. "And I'd lik

new. Where did you learn

. Tell me why you're coming home at t

o, and if I had to explain why I was late, it would mean revealing the Rachael

" she demanded,

anning to break the news tomorrow anyway, I shrugged it o

wn, her expression shifting to one o

it's Ra

r?" Mom asked a though

ime," I chuckled at her fading memory. "It's been le

or a moment. "Wait

she looks so different now-more refined and beautiful. But do

u're talking about Rachael Berry, t

dn't abandon me-more like moved

ing. But you

id," I interrupted. "C

to?" Mom asked as she moved to the counter, opening one cabinet

a spoonful of peanut butter she finally handed me. I forced

n I say? It's all abou

the sad excuse for dinner and sh

ing me. I didn't respond, just ke

n? That far?" she asked, her

to do with her, so her biological father, who li

," Mom said sy

udden that she didn't even

replied, her eyes

er how best to break the news to her. Honestly, I wished Dad

rey. I didn't even need to look up to know the expre

l it out," she

I glanced at her.

s wear that dull expression when you

rted to say, but the wo

hate it when you stall. Just spit it

ou. It's kind of a big deal, actually. You see, Rachael's stepmother owns a restaurant in London and

on, her face giv

nce to help out, and guess what? She offered me the job!" I grinne

e sink or what used to be it. "And what was your r

y reply? I said yes, of course," I beam

do that?" she snapped, her v

chael and I haven't been in touch, she really needs help now. It's a chanc

ncome? Is that what you call it? You're talking about moving across the country, away from everyone who c

times, staring at

t no