Marriage Deal with Entangled Promises

's Point

ility, the way she seemed to need something, unsettled me. It was a feeling I didn't want to acknowledge, a deep-seated discomfort. I'd sp

't be fee

all it was meant to be. It wasn't supposed to get messy. But there I was, fixated on the way she looked at

nse against people like her, those who could breach my

hest returning. I could still picture her expression when I walked out of her office, unce

How could she possibly refuse? Still, something else lingered

my hair as I exited the ele

uldn't let mysel

was becoming a problem, making it difficult to maintain the emotional barrier I'd always kept. I felt the

lt oddly chilly, even with the underfloor heating humming away. Esther was all I could think about. Her face, the way she

ging my temples, the day's e

ohol a familiar sensation. I shut my eyes, w

the contract. That was

matter that she wasn't simply complying? I shoul

the shadows in the room thickened, s

d long since buried, something

, a

starting to take hold, and moved toward the

ask what she want

r gaze flickering away from mine before locking on. I caught t

, wordlessly l

r shoulders were tight, and her fingers were busy with her purse

y. She just stared at me, the doubt plain in her

above a whisper. "What's happening

at first. I could see her searching for

naged, her voice a fragile thing. "I don't know i

sn't supposed to hesitate. She was supposed to accept the offer and disappear. Bu

ice flat, forcing the words out as if I were try

her head

don't want to be... someone you just use." Her words landed hard, a physical blow, and I was at a loss. I wanted to tell her to

he space between us, the air thick with unspo

words escaping befor

her gaze finally locking onto mine. "Not this...

eat, like a thing I desperately wanted to touch but couldn't. I took a step back, shaking my head. "You don't u

ent for a l

strength. "Perhaps it's time to

ss, were affecting me. Something I didn't want to feel. But it

ldn't. I

ess the feelings, trying to mainta

ing my sincerity. I caught the pain in her eyes, but she didn't

frame. Turning slightly, she spoke, her voice barely

er voice remained, a palpable pre

g fundamental. I didn't want to escape. I