A Marriage Under Contract

pte

ling S

an's

ing tension that seemed to build with every moment. Samantha had been slinking recently, sidestepped an

be used to waiting. Samantha had always been dependable and keen. But something about her today was different. She had sta

. I opened it and a smile pulled at my mouth. Information see

more in town. Thought yo

g memories I would much prefer forgetfulness. I hadn't given him any thought in years; I hadn't

r face pallid, her eyes glistened with somethin

ith a faltering voice. "

I said, my voice c

ery action, I tried to fit the jigsaw that had become Samantha. Now her steps were softer, more cautio

inting to the cha

from mine. Though slight, I could see it. She started t

" a quiet, deliberate voice. "Is th

, but she did not glance at me. She r

n eyebrow archer. Are you a

quite yet. She needed to come to me voluntarily, to trust me with what

r responses. Samantha, your head is not playing in the game rec

n calm. Her voice a little above a whisper, she replied, "I've j

she was skilled at hiding things. I have read people for too long trying to decipher the minute c

ime for nothing except games." "You have to

sensed a flutter of rebellion there. She was not going to break, not

, her voice steady now. "Yo

ing my chest with my

t, but I cut her short as th

ntinued, "I know about Jar

ad been hit, her face contorted in astonishment. Her eyes spar

voice faded, unabl

in rising between us. "What's crucial is that you kept me in the dark. Samant

nds shaking in her lap. "I didn't

d my voice. "You didn't think it mat

as too vital to let slip. Jared threatened more than just a little annoyance.

d, "I had no choice." "He'

her? Although Jared had always been merciless, to pursue her aggre

roach me?" My voice

sing in her eyes. "I doubt w

't trust me? She still questioned me after everything we had g

o interest in past events. Jared is a threat to me if

voice almost above a whisper, she added, "I didn't wan

need not accomplish this by yo

ould see the struggle in her eyes. Though something was stopping he

voice was quiet but forceful, I asked. "There'

iding whether to tell me the truth. Her phone buz

TV, her eyes going

om the chair: "I have to go." "I

ant

erything later," then grabbed h

ot from this time. Getting up, I moved to block her way. NO

eared she might pass right by. She then stopped, he

her voice gentle, like begging.

er go. Whatever it was, Samantha was being pulled farther i

d wanted or why he was focusin

our secret would

no more