OUR SACRIFICES: BORN TO LOVE YOU

g at the bright lights and the bare-clad dancers before her. Caleb, we'v

as his head jerked abruptly toward her. "Weary?

, "Yes," in a tone t

ngrateful, Anna," he sneered, adjusting his pricey suit. Unappr

give up. "Caleb, I don't give a damn who you a

music. "Anna, you don't belong anywhere. You are worthless without me. If not for my fat

r and looked up into his patronizing eyes. "Fortunate? To be forced to live with a conce

Caleb's smirk vanished as his ex

re what bargain our fathers made; I have no idea. I am not o

mouth, Anna," and moved closer until their noses met. "You

na yelled, "And without your father's

b's voice exploded. The noise reverberated around

staggered back. Her skin ached, yet t

as a warning, Anna. Don't try me once more. I have every righ

lity as she gazed at him. As she said, "Y

smile. "And whether you lik

Anna stood motionless as the heavy door closed behind him, her

ked them away. She said to herself, "I wil

top. Cold and heartless, the stone walls towered over her like a prison. Tears were s

ting like the ideal daughter. Compliant. Obedient. She believe

e a commodity. Her fiancé was picked because of Caleb's family's wea

car. Right now, she couldn't allow herself to bre

w. In the opulent living area, her father sipped

he cried out, "Anna." "Di

rage, she came to a halt.

" he seemed

ell me to him!" "Are you even inter

dramatic, Anna. This is for the family. We shall be secure

with uncontrollable tears. I'm not a busin

"You're behaving like a kid. Anna, you need

ermined voice. This is the way your universe

ied out of the room be

ar-streaked cheeks. She had no destination, no plan. She was only aware that she

a modest but comfortable apartment complex. After a moment

d, his face softening at the sigh

s streaming down her cheeks. He led her t

nd said softly, "Tell

a whisper as she drew a trembl

nched as his jaw h

r." "He is indifferent. As if I were nothing

and whispered firmly, "You ma

he gazed at him. "Eric, I can't do this any

don't." Together, we'll figure this out.

her were like a cosy hug. However, she knew in he

into a consoling embrace: She needed to resist. For hers

sh living room at the Douglas home, hi

he whispered to himself, "She believes she

call connected. I want someone to keep an eye on Anna. I want to know where she goes a

ose as he hung up. "Anna, you are mine. A